Nevada February 2026 Employment Report Unemployment Steady 5.3%

Joe Lombardo David Schmidt PGovernor Chief Economist Christopher Sewell Media Contact: Valentina Bonaparte Director detrmedia@detr.nv.gov RESS R ELEASE

STATE & METRO AREA PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release April 16, 2026

DETR Releases February Jobs Report

CARSON CITY, NV - According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation's (DETR) February 2026 economic report, compared to January 2026, Nevada's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.3 percent and the labor force increased by 3,829. The seasonally adjusted total number of nonfarm jobs in Nevada was 1,605,200, representing an increase of 2.2% over the past year and an increase of 1,500 jobs since January

2026.

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Employment (Seasonally Adjusted):

• Las Vegas employment increased by 1,100 jobs (0.1%) since January, and an increase of 25,100 jobs (2.2%) since
  February 2025.

• Reno employment had an increase of 1,000 jobs (0.3%) since January, and an increase of 6,300 jobs (2.2%) since
  February 2025.

• Carson City employment had a decrease of 200 jobs (-0.6%) since January, and an increase of 100 jobs (0.3%) since
  February 2025. "This month's report shows a strengthening labor market. Compared to the report for January, the pace of job gains in the past year increased from 1.9% to 2.2%, building on what was already the fastest pace of job growth in the country. While the unemployment rate remained stable, the labor force participation rate rose to 63.7%, 1.7 percentage points higher than the national level" said David Schmidt, Chief Economist. To see additional labor market data view the department's employment and unemployment dashboards located at www.nevadaworkforce.com. --###-- ABOUT THE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS BUREAU: The Research and Analysis Bureau is Nevada's premier source for labor market information. A part of DETR, the Bureau is responsible for creating, analyzing, and reporting Nevada's labor market information, in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Visit us http://www.nevadaworkforce.com.

• • •500 East Third Street, Room 200 Carson City, NV 89713 (775) 684-3911 Fax (775) 684-3908
  David Schmidt Joe Lombardo Chief Economist Governor Christopher Sewell Media Contact: Director Valentina Bonaparte detrmedia@detr.nv.gov Nevada Statewide & Metro Area Labor Market Overview

February 2026

Published on April 16th, 2026 In February 2026, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Nevada remained steady at 5.3 percent compared to January 2026. Over the same period, the labor force increased by 3,829 individuals, currently totaling 1,698,029 individuals. Breaking up the labor force change, there was an increase of 2,962 employed individuals and an increase of 867 unemployed individuals. Based on the February 2026 Current Employment Statistics (CES) seasonally adjusted numbers, there was an increase of 1,500 in the number of jobs in the state of Nevada, compared to January 2026. The two largest decreases in jobs were seen in Professional and Business Services which dropped by 600, and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities which lost 400 jobs. On the flip side, Leisure and Hospitality gained 1,600 jobs, followed by Construction which added 1,000 jobs. The Las Vegas MSA saw an increase equivalent to 1,100 jobs (0.1%) in February 2026, compared to January

1. Meanwhile, the Reno-Sparks MSA experienced an increase of 1,000 jobs (0.3%) during the same period. Finally, the Carson City MSA had a decrease of 200 jobs (-0.6%) in February 2026, compared to January 2026. Information on how to file an unemployment insurance claim, where to get updates from DETR, or what other services are available from the department can be found at the end of this write-up. Additional labor market information can be found on our website (http://nevadaworkforce.com/).

Current Employment Statistics (CES)

Estimates for this section come from the Current Employment Statistics (CES) program sponsored by the Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS). Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 1,500 from January to February, or 0.1 percent. Compared to February 2025, total nonfarm employment increased by 34,500 jobs, or 2.2 percent. For more state employment information, please visit our Nevada Area Profile. Las Vegas MSA total nonfarm employment increased by 1,100 jobs (0.1%) from January to February 2026. Compared to February 2025, total nonfarm employment increased by 25,100 jobs (2.2%). To see more employment information, please visit our Las Vegas MSA Area Profile. Reno-Sparks MSA total nonfarm employment increased by 1,000 jobs (0.3%) from January to February 2026. Compared to February 2025, total nonfarm employment increased by 6,300 jobs (2.2%). To see more employment information, please visit our Reno-Sparks MSA Area Profile. Carson City MSA total nonfarm employment decreased by 200 jobs (-0.6%) from January to February 2026. Compared to February 2025, total nonfarm employment increased by 100 jobs (0.3%). To see more employment information, please visit our Carson City MSA Area Profile. For more information visit our CES Page, see the summary tables at the end of the document, or check out our dashboards for a CES summary or industry estimates or all the Area Profiles. See more summary information on Nevada's Labor Market and the U.S. Labor Market.

Feb - Jan Feb - Jan Previous Annual Y/Y Feb - Jan Feb - Jan Previous Annual Y/Y Area Feb 2026 Jan 2026 Area Feb 2026 Jan 2026 February 2026 Seasonally Adjusted Employment (in Thousands) February 2026 Not Seasonally Adjusted Employment (in Thousands) GrowthGrowthChange Change Year GrowthGrowthChange Change Year † † † †U.S. Nevada Reno-Sparks MSA Carson City MSA 158,459.0 158,592.0 158,310.0 1,605.2 1,603.7 1,570.7 -133.0 -0.1% 149.0 285.6 281.4 279.1 -0.3% 0.1% 0.1% 2.2% 1.5% 2.3% 0.0% 34.5 32.3 32.4 32.3 -0.1 1.5 4.2 6.5 0.0 Las Vegas MSA Reno-Sparks MSA Carson City MSA U.S. Nevada Las Vegas MSA 157,204.0 156,728.0 157,157.0 1,172.9 1,171.8 1,147.8 1,595.1 1,585.5 1,560.0 1,164.1 1,157.9 1,141.7 287.5 286.5 281.2 -0.6% 476.0 0.1% 2.2% 0.3% 2.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.0% 0.6% 2.2% 0.5% 2.0% 25.1 32.7 32.9 32.6 47.0 35.1 22.4 -0.2 1.1 1.0 6.3 0.1 9.6 6.2 Percentages might display 0.0% due to rounding Percentages might display 0.0% due to rounding ††

Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)

Figures for our unemployment estimates come from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program sponsored by the (BLS). In February 2026, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Nevada remained steady at 5.3 percent compared to January and decreased by 0.1 pp (percentage points) from 5.4 percent in February 2025. The number of unemployed individuals increased by 867 from January, for a current level of 90,149 people, and increased by 1,288 unemployed individuals year-over-year. The labor force in Nevada increased by 3,829 individuals compared to January, and currently sits at 1,698,029, which represents an increase of 40,539 individuals compared to February 2025. Visit our LAUS page for more information on the labor force in Nevada, or check out our dashboard for a look at each area.

1-Yr 1-Yr 3-Yr 3-Yr All-All-Feb - Jan 1-Yr 1-Yr 3-Yr 3-Yr Feb Area Time Time Unemployment High High Low Low Employment Labor Force Area Change Labor Force High High Low Low Unemployed Employed U.S. & Nevada Local Area Unemployment Statistics February 2026 Nevada & Area Seasonally Adjusted Employment Summary in (1000s) Change Change Change Change Participation Rate High Min Population Ratio Rate SA = Seasonally Adjusted. Nevada Las Vegas MSA Reno - Sparks MSA Carson City MSA U.S. U.S. Nevada Nevada 1,605.2 1,605.2 1,570.7 1,605.2 1,525.8 1,605.2 1,172.9 1,172.9 1,147.8 1,172.9 1,112.8 1,172.9 SASA609.8 364.3 287.5 287.5 281.2 287.5 276.1 287.5 148.2 170,206,000 162,153,000 170,483,000 162,912,000 17.6 17.6 14.4 14.4 32.7 33.0 32.6 33.0 31.2 33.3 21.1 -3.8 -7.7 -7.1 -7.1 -1.2 -2.9 -0.2 -0.2 4.7 4.7 -0.2 0.2 0.4 1,700,065 1,606,052 1,698,029 1,607,880 1.5 1.1 1.0 8,052,000 7,571,000 94,013 90,149 4.7 4.4 5.5 5.3 61.9 59.0 62.0 59.3 63.8 60.2 63.7 60.3

Unemployment Rate State Rankings (January 2026 Data)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nevada had the 3rd highest unemployment rate of any state in January 2026 at a figure of 5.3%. Ahead of Nevada were California and Delaware, each with an unemployment rate of 5.4%. Behind Nevada were New Jersey with 5.2% and Oregon with 5.2%.

Employment State Rankings (January 2026 Data)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nevada had the highest over-the-year employment growth in January 2026 at a figure of 1.92%.

Unemployment Insurance

Turning to our monthly data, in February 2026, 10,745 initial claims for unemployment insurance were filed in Nevada, a decrease of 2181 claims, or 16.9 percent, from January 2026 when there were 12,926 claims. This figure is a decrease from the 10,748 figure that was observed in February of 2025.

Monthly claims activity for Nevada's regular program saw decreases for most measures in February 2026. Compared to January, Weeks Compensated decreased by 12,151, and Final Payments (also known as exhaustions) decreased by 389. Total compensation was down by $6,159,923 or 12.1%.

12 month February February Amount Compensated Total February 2026 Unemployment Insurance Activity Measure January 2026 % change % change $41,631,959 $40,319,965 $47,526,158 $43,084,176 -12.4% 3.3% Source: ETA 5159 average Initial Claims Weeks Claimed Weeks Compensated Amount Compensated Weeks Compensated Total Unemployment Unemployment Final Payments (Exhaustions) Average Duration (in weeks) Exhaustion Rate $44,732,858 $43,280,620 $50,892,781 $46,127,909 110,717 101,525 117,100 112,265 105,496 42.35% 42.27% 42.56% 41.97% 10,745 10,748 12,926 -16.9% 11,875 93,345 92,965 -11.5% 98,127 -12.1% 82,343 82,433 93,437 -11.9% 87,224 -13.5% -5.5% -0.1% 2,495 2,410 2,884 2,461 14.23 15.09 -5.7% 14.19 14.58 -0.5% 0.0% 9.1% 0.4% 3.4% 3.5% 0.3% 0.2% First Payments Average Weekly Benefit $505.59 $489.12 $508.64 $493.48 -31.0% 5,362 5,579 -3.9% 7,775 6,130 -0.6% 3.4%

CES Summary Tables

Seasonally adjusted estimates are used to show underlying economic trends by accounting for regularly seen seasonal patterns, and the result is smoother estimates. They are found by taking the difference of the unadjusted estimate and the expected seasonal movement.

Nevada Nonfarm Jobs Over the Month Change Area Expected Seasonal Movement Seasonally Adjusted Change Unadjusted Change January 2026 - February 2026 U.S. Nevada 476,000 9,600 -133,000 609,000 1,500 8,100

Nevada Unemployment Services Available

DETR serves all Nevada citizens by being the state's lead workforce development agency. DETR consists of divisions that offer workforce related services, job placement and training, services for people with disabilities, investigation of claims of discrimination, unemployment insurance benefits, and labor market data. To file an unemployment insurance claim or for additional information, please visit: http://nui.nv.gov/ To report unemployment fraud, please visit: https://detr.nv.gov/Page/Unemployment_Fraud For workforce services available to jobseekers, employers, and the public: https://www.employNV.gov For services available to people with disabilities: https://vrnevada.nv.gov/ For information about Nevada's Equal Rights Commission: https://detr.nv.gov/NERC Prepared by the Research and Analysis Bureau with contributions from: Bhraman Gulati, Dionny McDonnell, Dave Schmidt, Marianne Kattenhorn, Antonio Solorio, James Bathgate, Andrew Stencel, and Tim Wilcox. Special thanks to all the R and RStudio developers that built the packages to make this possible. Packages used in this report include tidyverse, DBI, tidyquant, data.table, scales, gt, kableExtra, ggthemes, cowplot, gridExtra, RcppRoll, viridis, fiftystater, ggforce, knitr, flexdashboard, lubridate, plotly, patchwork, reshape2. This workforce product was funded by the Workforce Information Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.