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Monday, Apr. 27, 2026

Is Las Vegas facing its worst job market in 2026 since 2008?

Kate Reynolds, The Nevada Independent
no

Las Vegas is not facing its worst job market since 2008. Unemployment and job growth — two metrics that reflect the market’s strength — were slower in the aftermaths of the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Las Vegas in February 2026 was 5.8 percent.Nevada was one of the hardest-hit states during the Great Recession, which lasted from December 2007 to June 2009 but affected the economy for years. Las Vegas’ unemployment rate reached 13.9 percent in July 2010 and did not fall below the February 2026 rate until October 2016.

Unemployment spiked again during the pandemic, peaking at 26.1 percent in April 2020. 

Job growth was also greater in February 2026 than during the recession and pandemic. Nevada’s job growth rate since last February was the fastest nationwide, with the state adding 34,500 seasonally adjusted jobs.

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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