Las Vegas jobless rate rises in June
Unemployment in Las Vegas rose in June despite job growth.
Local joblessness came in at 7 percent in the month, up from 6.6 percent in May but down from 8 percent in June 2014, the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported Tuesday.
Employers across the Las Vegas Valley added 5,500 jobs from May to June, but the market also added 5,500 workers to its labor pool, essentially canceling out the new jobs‘ effect on unemployment.
The employment department reported Wednesday that the state jobless rate had fallen below 7 percent for the first time since 2008. But state rates are seasonally adjusted, unlike local rates, so local rates can swing more widely.
"Month to month volatility in the unemployment rate is not unusual," said Bill Anderson, chief economist of the employment department. "A better indication of the health of the economy is the year-over-year activity. All in all, the Silver State is continuing to make improvements as employers gain confidence and continue to add jobs and jobseekers continue to return to the job market."
Contact Jennifer Robison at jrobison@reviewjournal.com. Follow @J_Robison1 on Twitter.
