Associated Press, November 19, 2021
Nevada’s unemployment rate decreased a notch to 7.3% in October and the state added 11,200 jobs, according to figures released by the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
But the Silver State and neighboring California still had the highest jobless rate in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national unemployment rate is 4.6%.
In September, Nevada and California also tied for the highest unemployment rate in the nation, at 7.5%.
Nevada officials said the Las Vegas area had the strongest growth in the state, adding 8,400 jobs mostly in professional and business services, and education and health services.
Gov. Steve Sisolak said in a statement the October numbers, including the second-strongest month for job growth this year, were a strong sign of continued recovery from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The state jobless office said about 6,500 new unemployment claims were filed last month, down 4.6% from September.
DETR also reported it has rebuilt the state Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to more than $300 million after paying off debts that piled up during the pandemic.