Employment Key Takeaways | Second Quarter 2025
• Diversifying Sector Employment
• Positive Wage Growth
• Notable Gains in Education and Health Services Employment
Southern Nevada’s job market has experienced both progress and setbacks over the past year. Since April 2024, the region has added 4,100 jobs. However, in February 2025 the area recorded its first year-over-year decline in job growth in almost four years. Despite this recent slowdown the local economy continues to show signs of resilience and strength.
Job Growth by Industry
While total employment growth slowed recently, some sectors are expanding. Education and health services added 4,200 jobs compared to the same time last year and more than 12,000 jobs since early 2023. This growth is largely driven by ongoing investment in healthcare and biotech industries.
Government employment also grew with an increase of 1,800 jobs or 1.5 percent year-over-year. Positive job growth during the past year was also reported in government, leisure and hospitality, other services, information and financial activities. Some of these sectors, including leisure and hospitality, reversed course from recent months by adding to the overall job counts.
In contrast, two of the region’s three largest sectors lost jobs over the past year. Trade, transportation and utilities employment declined by 1,300 jobs, while professional and business services dropped by 2,400 jobs. The region’s largest sector, leisure and hospitality, added 1,200 jobs and remains above its pre-pandemic peak in 2019. This growth came despite a decline in visitor numbers compared to last year’s Super Bowl-related tourism boost.
Unemployment Trends
As of April 2025, Southern Nevada’s unemployment rate stood at 5.2 percent, which is higher than the national rate of 4.2 percent. This gap is largely influenced by shifts in the leisure and hospitality sector and a growing labor force.
Initial unemployment insurance claims rose 14.5 percent from the previous year. However, the elevated unemployment rate does not necessarily reflect economic weakness
Wage Growth
Wages in Southern Nevada continue to rise. In April 2025, the average weekly wage was $1,072, a 7.6 percent increase compared to one year ago. Although below the national average of $1,236, the wage gap is narrowing. Last year, the local wage was 16.2 percent lower than the national average; this year it is 13.3 percent lower.
Despite moderate job growth and higher unemployment, Southern Nevada’s economy remains flexible and relatively stable. Continued wage increases and growth in smaller sectors demonstrate the region is adapting to economic changes.
