May’s statewide unemployment rate rose slightly to a 6.1 percent.
However, the rate decreased relative to May last year by 0.8 of a percentage point, the 63rd consecutive month the unemployment rate in the Silver State decreased on a year-over-year basis.
“I’m disappointed that Nevada experienced a slight uptick in the unemployment rate for the month of May. We are experiencing dynamic population growth once again and I am hopeful that our robust economic development efforts coupled with existing business expansion will help reduce unemployment moving forward,” said Gov. Brian Sandoval in a statement. “It is clear that more work must be done and I am committed to creating an environment where every Nevadan who wants a good job can find one.”
Over the month, payrolls decreased by a seasonally-adjusted 3,800 jobs, the largest monthly decrease since September 2010, said Bill Anderson, chief economist for Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
Payrolls were expected to increase by 6,600 (not seasonally adjusted), but 2,800 jobs were actually added, leading to the seasonally adjusted decrease relative to April.
The U.S. rate decreased from last month, at 4.7 percent –- 1.4 percentage point lower than the Nevada rate –- this compares to a 4.4 percentage-point difference at the height of the recession. The decline in the national rate was the result of a decline in the labor force.
