Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

State’s unemployment rate hits record in March

CARSON CITY – The jobless rate in Nevada hit a record high of 13.4 percent in March, the 15th consecutive month of double digit unemployment.

The jobless rate in the Las Vegas area, however, declined from 13.9 to 13.8 percent, but it also was the 15th straight month of double digit numbers.

The state Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation said today that employer surveys “suggest Nevada’s businesses are still struggling to find their footing.”

In the Las Vegas area, construction employment took another big dip in March, falling to 47,700 jobs, down 3,600 from the previous month. But the number of jobs in casino hotels and gaming rose slightly to 153,200, up 700 from February.

Department economist Bill Anderson said, “On the heels of improvement in February, the loss of 4,300 jobs in March (statewide) is disappointing but indicative of the turbulence expected as the economy looks for directions.”

The department reported the jobless rate in Las Vegas fell by 0.1 percent from February. There were an estimated 136,000 unemployed. There were 850,400 people working, down from 853,500 in February.

Anderson said the Las Vegas area has lost 47,700 jobs, or 5.7 percent, compared to March 2009 when the jobless rate was 10.6 percent.

The department said the number of those employed in manufacturing in Southern Nevada fell to 20,100, down 100 jobs from February. But those on the job in utilities, transportation and trade rose to 141,100, up 300 from the previous month.

Statewide, the unemployment rate increased from 13.2 percent in February to 13.4 percent in March. There were an estimated 186,900 jobless, which is 600 more than in February.

Nevada’s unemployment rate has exceeded the national average and has been among the top five states. The national rate was 9.7 percent.

The jobless rate in the Reno area declined from 13.4 percent in February to 13.2 percent in March with an estimated 30,100 out of work.

The department reported Carson City’s jobless rate declined from 13.7 percent in February to 13.3 percent in March with an estimated 3,900 unemployed.

Anderson says the national rate of 9.7 percent will likely stay high for the foreseeable future. “Given high unemployment and fear of a double-dip recession, the viability of an economic expansion will remain tenuous in the months ahead,” he said.

Government employment rose by 400 jobs with the hiring of workers for the census, Anderson said. The U.S. Census Bureau plans to hire about 4,800 workers in total, but these jobs are temporary.

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