Nevada Employment and Education

Unemployment remains low in the state. Over 75,000 new jobs were created last year and earnings are up 3%. Construction, leisure and business sectors account for nearly 60% of the new jobs, keeping unemployment at 4.5%. Some of Nevada’s largest employers include the Clark County School District, Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Wynn Las Vegas, Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, Las Vegas Convention Center and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. Nevada is also the largest producer of gold in the U.S. It is only second in the world to South Africa’s gold production.

Tourism is also a big part of the state’s economy. Thousands of people come each year to visit not only casinos, but also to enjoy the Hoover Dam, and Red Rock Canyon. Tourism produces nearly one-third of Nevada’s annual tax revenue. Las Vegas has more hotel rooms than any other place on earth. It is known as the convention capitol of the world.

Nevada Education

The graduation rate for Nevada is currently at 80.7%, which is up from 78.8% in 1990. There are 572 schools in the state, and $6,686 is spent on each student per year of instruction. Scores on the NAEP show students testing a little below the nation’s average, and not much change has occurred in the past 2 years. In 2003, 69% of 4th graders and 59% of 8th graders tested proficient at basic levels in Math. In 2005, the percentages went up to 72% in 4th grade and 60% in 8th grade. Reading scores showed no improvement in 2 year’s time, with 4th graders scoring at 52% both years and 8th graders scoring at 63% proficiency at basic reading levels.