Nevada's Job Market 2nd Fastest Growing Since December: Report

RENO, NV - Recent employment numbers show that Nevada had the second largest percentage increase to its workforce in the entire country since December 2017, and that the Silver State's workforce is one of the fastest growing in the America over the last 12 months.

According to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics analyzed by the Economic Policy Institute from December 2017 to March 2018, Nevada increased its workforce by 1 percent, equaling 13,900 new full or part-time jobs. Only Utah, with a 1.1 percent increase, added more jobs relative to its existing workforce during that three-month span.

Data collected from the past 12 months show that jobs in Nevada have increased by 2.9 percent -- the third highest total in the country behind Idaho and Utah (each at 3.3 percent). According to the report, Nevada had added 39,300 jobs in the past year.

Nevada's unemployment rate has dropped by 0.3 percent over the last year, but remains one of the highest in the nation, according to the report, at 4.9 percent. That's tied with Arizona for fourth highest in the country. Washington, D.C. and New Mexico were tied for the highest unemployment rate, 5.6 percent, and West Virginia was third with 5.4 percent.

The data analyzed was taken from the Bureau of Labor's State and Regional Report, and does not include farm jobs.

Across the country, most states added jobs since December, according to the report. But in the midwest and on the east coast it's been slower. Jessica Scheider, EPI research assistant, said Mother Nature is the one most responsible for the current state of the country's job market.

"We do see job losses in the construction industry over the last month, with the construction industry in the Mid-Atlantic driving that estimate. Harsh weather in March is likely behind this hiccup in recent trends," she said.

To read the EPI report, click the link below:
EPI: March weather likely at play in state jobs report

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