Nevada recorded the fastest job growth in the nation over the past year, adding 34,500 jobs for a 2.2% increase, according to new data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR).
State officials said the gain places Nevada ahead of all other states in year-over-year job growth, describing the latest report as evidence of a strengthening labor market, with annual job growth accelerated from 1.9% earlier in the year to 2.2%. The state’s labor force participation rate also rose to 63.7%, 1.7 percentage points higher than the national average, indicating more residents are working or actively seeking work.
In the Las Vegas area, education and health services, along with professional and business services, saw the strongest growth. Construction, which experienced declines in 2025, showed signs of recovery, with revised data indicating the industry was roughly flat over the year and added 3,500 jobs in January alone.
Despite the gains, Nevada’s unemployment rate remains among the highest in the country. At 5.3%, in early 2026, the state ranks third nationally, behind California and Delaware. Economists note that rising labor force participation can temporarily keep unemployment rates elevated as more people enter the job market.
State officials maintain that overall trends remain positive.
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