Construction Industry Remains Strong Despite Nevada’s High Unemployment Rate

Nevada’s unemployment rate of 5.7% ranked worst in the United States for 2024.

The national unemployment rate sits at 4.2%, 1.5% lower than Nevada’s. Nevada’s unemployment rate increased by 0.4% in 2024, based on seasonally adjusted data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

The District of Columbia is the second-worst area in the U.S. with unemployment at 5.6%. California, Illinois and Kentucky were also in the bottom five.

South Dakota reports the best numbers, with an unemployment rate of 1.9%. The other states in the top five were North Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire and Nebraska.

Of Nevada’s main cities, Elko had the lowest unemployment rate at 3.9%. Other notable cities included:

• Sparks at 4.3%;
• Reno at 4.4%;
• Mesquite at 4.8%;
• Henderson at 5.4%;
• Boulder City at 5.5%;
• Las Vegas at 6%;
• Fernley at 6.1%, and
• North Las Vegas at 6.8%.

Despite Nevada’s high unemployment rate, the construction and mining industries have remained strong. Professionals and business services, wholesale and retail trade and accommodation and food services saw the steepest declines. (Source)