Nevada’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in December 2025, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The figure places the state third-highest among U.S. states, behind only California at 5.5% and New Jersey at 5.4%, with the District of Columbia leading at 6.7%.
The national unemployment rate stood at 4.4% for the month. The BLS report, part of its monthly State Employment and Unemployment summary issued in late January 2026, indicated that Nevada’s rate was unchanged from November but represented a 0.6 percentage point decrease from December 2024’s 5.8%.
State officials from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) confirmed the 5.2% figure in their December jobs report, noting it held steady month-over-month while the labor force grew by more than 9,300 individuals to approximately 1.7 million.
Nonfarm payroll employment in Nevada decreased by 500 jobs from November to December 2025, with notable losses in Professional and Business Services (down 1,600) and construction (down 1,200), with gains in Leisure and Hospitality (up 2,500) and Education and Health Services (up 900).
Reno experienced a small drop, while Carson City posted gains. Labor force participation reached 63.2%, the highest since March 2020, as residents actively seek work. Meanwhile, there is strong wage growth in declining sectors, such as construction (up 9.8%) and financial activities (up 10.2%.)
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