Las Vegas Adds Thousands of Jobs Amid Tourism Decline

In a surprising turn, Las Vegas has added thousands of jobs in September 2025, even as the city grapples with a significant tourism downturn.

 

According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, the Las Vegas area saw an increase of 4,400 jobs from August to September, marking a 0.4% rise in employment. This growth occurred despite a reported 8.8% year-over-year decline in visitor numbers for September, with approximately 3.1 million tourists visiting the city.

 

The leisure and hospitality sector, a cornerstone of Las Vegas's economy, contributed significantly to this employment boost, adding 5,100 jobs statewide. However, this positive employment trend contrasts sharply with the ongoing challenges in the tourism industry.

 

Hotel occupancy rates fell to 78.7%, a 5.2 percentage point decrease from the previous year, and revenue per available room dropped by 9% to $149.97. Convention attendance also saw a substantial decline of 18.7%, with only about 428,400 attendees in September. The absence of major events like the quadrennial MINExpo, which attracted 45,000 attendees in 2024, and the rescheduling of Oracle CloudWorld to October, contributed to this downturn.

 

Despite these challenges, the local job market's resilience suggests a complex economic landscape. While tourism remains a vital component of Las Vegas's economy, other sectors may be contributing to employment growth, potentially offsetting some of the losses in the hospitality industry.

 

As Las Vegas continues to navigate these economic fluctuations, the interplay between job creation and tourism trends will be crucial in shaping the city's financial future.