Nevada jobless rate steady at 7.7 percent in July

By Cy Ryan

Friday, Aug. 15, 2014 | 8:19 a.m.

CARSON CITY — Unemployment in Nevada held steady at 7.7 percent in July, but the jobless rate was down 2.2 percent from July 2013.

The national rate was 6.2 percent.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation today reported an estimated 105,200 Nevadans were jobless last month. Employment reached a seasonally adjusted total of 1,264,500.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said the economic picture in Nevada continues to be positive. “Our efforts to diversify the economy and further improve the skills of our workforce remain an important priority, along with the job growth in key sectors of our economy,” he said.

The department reported, however, the jobless rate in the Las Vegas area rose from 7.9 percent in June to 8.2 percent in July, with an estimated 81,500 people out of work.

The number of construction jobs increased by 7,500 statewide, a 13.5 percent increase over July 2013. Professional services added 12,000 jobs, and leisure and hospitality employment grew by 10,600 jobs compared to the same month of a year ago.

In the Las Vegas area, construction jobs totaled 43,200, up 2,200 from July 2013. Manufacturing added 600 jobs for a total of 21,500. Trade, transportation and utilities reported 161,700 employees, an increase of 5,700 from a year ago. Hotels and gaming had 161,600 workers, up 1.8 percent from the same month last year.

Lyon County had the highest jobless rate at 12.9 percent, followed by 11.9 percent in Mineral County.

Esmeralda County had the lowest unemployment rate at 3.1 percent.