Las Vegas Sees an Increase in Total Jobs in September

Las Vegas may be amid a tourism downturn, but consumer spending and job rates are both inching up in September, with the Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation reporting a 0.4% gain in employment.

Overall, 4,400 jobs were added during the month, tentatively suggesting that the worst of the worst may be behind Sin City. The hospitality sector increased employment by 5,100 jobs in Nevada as a whole, with the hopes that this upswing will continue over the coming months.

However, there have been reasons to worry as well, with the UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research citing low confidence in Southern Nevada, the lowest on record since the Great Recession, as a matter of fact.

While consumers have been willing to spend a little more than usual, October’s visitor volumes declined by 4.4% compared to the same month last year. Through October, 32.3 million people visited Las Vegas, down 7.6% from 2024. 

The UNLV’s Center for Business Research is a little less optimistic about Las Vegas’ prospects, with the organization citing “a slowing path” for the local economy. Despite the ongoing lull, Las Vegas did enjoy a bit of a break with the Thanksgiving holiday, bringing a surge in local tourism and visitations.

“Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones,” said AAA VP of travel, Stacey Barber.