Nevada keeps jobless rate of 4 percent

Friday, July 22, 2005 | 10:38 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Unemployment in June remained at 4 percent in Nevada with an estimated 50,000 persons out of work. The state's 4-percent rate is still below the jobless rate in the nation and in neighboring California.

The state Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation reported today there were 1,228,300 persons working in June, a 6.4 percent gain over the same month of 2004.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said the state is demonstrating "remarkable consistency in job growth, low unemployment and a strong economy."

He said more than 60 percent of the new jobs in the state since January 2002 are in sectors that pay higher-than-average wages.

The unemployment rate of 4 percent compares with 4.4 percent in June 2004. The department said the national rate in June was 5 percent and 5.3 percent in California.

In Clark County, unemployment rose from 3.7 percent in May to 4.1 percent in June with an estimated 35,500 people out of work. Total employment in the Las Vegas area reached 873,400, up 7.7 percent from a year ago.

Department Director Birgit Baker, commenting on statewide job growth, said, "Four industries that pay good wages -- construction, education and health services, finance and professional and business services, -- accounted for 112,000 new jobs during the current economy expansion.

"Other high-paying industries such as manufacturing and mining have also contributed new jobs to Nevada's economy," Baker said.

Statewide, the department said the number of construction jobs grew 15.2 percent in the last year to 136,000 in June; mining employment increased to 8,000, up 12.7 percent; jobs in manufacturing increased by 2.2 percent to 47,300 and casino hotels and gaming jobs rose by 4.2 percent to 216,900.

The agency said statewide retail trade employment increased, in the year-to-year comparison, 2.9 percent to 129,400; financial activities employment rose 6.2 percent to 65,400; professional and business services increased 9.4 percent to 144,600 and government workers rose to 141,700, up 3.8 percent from a year ago.

The department said employment in Clark County in casinos and hotels rose to 176,500, up 5.8 percent from June 2004; construction jobs reached 103,400, up 17.2 percent; manufacturing increased 3.8 percent to 24,300 and retail trade employed 92,400 workers, a 3.6 percent gain.

Financial activities in Clark County reported 49,300 workers, up 6.9 percent; professional and business services grew 10.4 percent with 105,000 persons on the job; education and health services accounted for 57,400 jobs, an increase of 7.1 percent from a year ago and government employment rose 5.3 percent to 85,300.

The department said unemployment in Washoe and Storey counties increased from 3.5 percent in May to 3.8 percent in June with an estimated 8,100 persons out of work. Total employment grew 4.4 percent to 218,500 jobs in the year-to-year comparison.

Carson City's unemployment rate increased from 4 percent in May to 4.3 percent in June with an estimated 1,200 people jobless. Total employment rose 3.1 percent to 33,200 compared to a year ago.

Elko and Eureka counties reported a 3.9 percent jobless rate, up from 3.3 percent in May. There were an estimated 900 people out of work. Total employment fell to 23,200, down 14.4 percent from a year ago.