Nevada’s job market holds steady in March

by

Nevada’s labor market remained resilient through the first quarter of 2026, maintaining a stable unemployment rate even as total nonfarm payrolls saw a minor month-over-month decline.

According to the latest economic report from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR), the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held firm at 5.3% in March, unchanged from February.

Employment

While the unemployment rate remained flat, the state’s labor force continued to expand, adding 2,804 individuals in March. However, total nonfarm jobs settled at 1,603,700—a slight decrease of 1,600 positions compared to February.

Despite this monthly “slip,” the long-term outlook remains positive. Nevada has seen a 1.8% increase in total jobs over the past year, representing a robust addition of new positions since March 2025.

“This month’s report once again shows Nevada with a relatively rapid expansion in total jobs over the past year,” said David Schmidt, DETR Chief Economist. “Labor force participation remains noticeably higher than the national average.”

Sector shifts and regional performance

The monthly dip in jobs was largely driven by volatility in specific industries. While Professional & Business Services and Health Care posted gains, they were offset by declines in the Leisure & Hospitality and Construction sectors.

Performance varied across Nevada’s major metropolitan hubs:

  • Reno: The standout performer for the month, adding 400 jobs (0.1%) since February and marking a 2.2% increase over the last year.
  • Las Vegas: Experienced a minor decline of 400 jobs (0.03%) since February, though it remains up by nearly 20,000 jobs compared to this time last year.
  • Carson City: Employment remained perfectly flat month-over-month, maintaining a modest 0.3% annual growth rate.

Local Unemployment Highlights

Unemployment rates fluctuated significantly when looking at unadjusted data across the state’s counties. While the statewide adjusted rate sits at 5.3%, local figures tell a story of regional disparity:

RegionUnemployment Rate (Unadjusted)
Humboldt County3.5% (Lowest in State)
Carson City MSA4.2%
Reno MSA4.3%
Las Vegas MSA5.4%
Mineral County9.2% (Highest in State)

State officials continue to encourage residents to utilize the department’s online dashboards for localized data and industry-specific employment estimates. Detailed reports and “Area Profiles” can be accessed at www.nevadaworkforce.com