Nevada Ranks #1 in Job Growth, Governor Lombardo Announces

Governor Lombardo Releases Statement on Nevada Ranking #1 in Job Growth

Carson City, Nev. April 21, 2026 Governor Joe Lombardo released a statement following the announcement from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) that Nevada ranks number one in the nation for job growth:

"Nevada’s position as the nation’s fastest-growing job market highlights my administration’s efforts to transition into a more resilient, broad-based economy. This is creating real opportunities for Nevadans and building a foundation for long-term success that benefits every community in our state. By cutting red tape, developing the workforce, and focusing on smart economic policies, Nevada is quickly becoming one of the best business environments in the nation.”

Nevada is gaining national recognition under Governor Lombardo’s leadership:

• Led the nation in post-pandemic small business growth (UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research)
• Ranked among the top states for business strength in the U.S. (Area Development Report and in partnership with Chmura Economics & Analytics)
• 7th best state to start a business in 2025 (Wallet Hub)
• Largest increase in hourly pay in the country (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Nevada ranked as the safest place to start a business, with an 83% startup survival rate (Wave Connect)
• Climbed 15 spots on the U-Haul Growth Index and ranking 20th Nationwide (U-Haul Growth Index)

Governor Lombardo’s actions are making a difference for Nevada’s economy:

• In January 2023, Governor Lombardo signed Executive Order 2023-003 directing all executive branch entities to review existing regulations and recommend at least ten for removal or streamlining. As of March 2025, the Legislative Commission had approved 910 of these recommendations, demonstrating significant progress toward regulatory reform.
• Under Governor Lombardo’s leadership, Nevada has secured over $5 billion in private investment and more than 44,500 new jobs.
• Governor Lombardo has fought to reduce the Modified Business Tax by 15% to help businesses grow and create jobs.
• Governor Lombardo vetoed tax increases in both the 2023 and 2025 legislative sessions, and vetoed bills that would have raised taxes or increased government overreach.
• AB 462 (2025) expanded Nevada's Inland Port Authority, authorizing the creation of tax increment areas within inland ports or industrial parks to finance projects through bond issuances backed by incremental tax revenues. This bill also included Career and Technical Education requirements statewide to help support teaching pathways, dual-credit programs, and work-based learning experiences.
• SB 119 (2025) expanded the NV Grow program operated by the College of Southern Nevada and in partnership with the Division of Small Business and Entrepreneurship to support small businesses statewide.
• AB 77 (2023) created the Office of Entrepreneurship.
• AB 241 (2023) requires students to receive college and career-ready high school diplomas.
• AB 428 (2023) established a tuition reimbursement program under the State Treasurer’s Office and a Career Pathways Demonstration Program under the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation.
• Governor Lombardo’s focus on tourism and public safety has led to successfully hosting high-profile events and adding one, possibly two, major league sports teams in Las Vegas.
  • The F1 Race had its first event in Las Vegas in 2023 and will host another in November 2026.
  • Las Vegas hosted Super Bowl LVIII 2024 and will host Super Bowl LXIII in 2029.
  • With the passage of SB1 from the 2023 legislative session, MLB will be coming to Las Vegas and will build a state-of-the-art ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip.
  • In March 2025, the NBA Board of Governors voted to officially explore an expansion team in Las Vegas.
• Governor Lombardo signed into law 3 health care licensure compacts to make it easier for healthcare workers to move to Nevada and start work quickly, including the Counseling Compact, the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, and the Physical Therapy Compact.
• The Governor signed legislation in the 2025 legislative session to expedite the licensure process for healthcare professionals who commit to work in underserved communities in Nevada.
• SB262 (2025) made changes to the state’s Graduate Medical Education program, preventing program reduction without approval of Nevada Health Authority (NVHA), expanding grants to allow programs to build administrative and operational capacity, and establishing criteria for prioritizing grant awards.
  • The bill requires NVHA to leverage federal Medicaid dollars to support residency training and postdoctoral fellowship programs.
  • The bill included an appropriation of $4.5M for FY25-26 and FY26-27 for the GME grant program.

Contact

Drew Galang Communications Director press@gov.nv.gov