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Las Vegas Unemployment Rate Improves, But Casino Town Still Outpaces National Average

By jili tutorial · September 4, 2026

Las Vegas Unemployment Rate Improves, But Casino Hub Still Exceeds National Average

Las Vegas experienced a modest decline in unemployment in July compared to the same period last year, though the city’s jobless rate continues to surpass the national figure. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5.4% of the local labor force was unemployed in July 2026—down from 5.9% in July 2025, but up from 5.2% in June 2026.

Photo Credit: A cook arrives for work along Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, as seen in a file photograph taken on Oct. 31, 2021. (Image: Shutterstock)

The federal agency reported that more than 72,000 people in the Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas metropolitan area were without work in July. The Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) noted that the region added approximately 2,300 jobs in July—a marginal 0.2% increase from June. Over the past 12 months, about 9,900 positions were added, representing a 0.8% gain.

Nevada’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 5% in July, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from June. However, DETR reported that the state’s labor force shrank by 5,077 individuals, bringing the total to 1,681,603 workers.

“July’s report highlights a steady labor market in Nevada as we enter the second half of the year. Year-over-year job growth remains solid at just over 1%, with professional services and health care leading the way at more than 4% growth,” said David Schmidt, DETR’s chief economist. “Compared to June, Nevada added 4,000 jobs, in contrast to the national decline of 23,000 jobs. The unemployment rate and labor force participation rate both fell compared to June, mirroring national trends,” Schmidt added.

Nevada and Las Vegas Lag Behind National Numbers

Despite the year-over-year improvement, Las Vegas’ unemployment rate remained well above the national average. The federal government reported a national unemployment rate of 4% in July, down 0.3% from a year ago.

Nevada tied for 46th among all 50 states, with only California, Connecticut, and Oregon recording higher unemployment rates. Among the 387 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average unemployment rate was 4.4% in July (not seasonally adjusted), with the agency noting the rate was “little changed from a year earlier.”

The lowest unemployment rates were found in Bismarck, North Dakota; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota/Minnesota—each at just 1.9%. Las Vegas’ 5.4% unemployment rate was 1.2 percentage points higher than the average of all other metro areas with populations of 25,000 or more.

Casino Sector Weighs on Employment

The casino industry in Nevada and Las Vegas did little to bolster July’s employment figures. DETR reported that leisure and hospitality jobs—which include gaming—declined by 2,900 positions statewide during the month, with the Las Vegas area accounting for 1,800 of those cuts.

August may not bring much relief. Cirque du Soleil announced last month the elimination of 98 positions tied to the closure of the Mad Apple production at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. Additionally, Wynn Las Vegas confirmed the closure of Awakening, which will displace 178 workers, while the shuttering of Lotus of Siam restaurant at Red Rock Resort in Summerlin affects 81 positions.