Employment Projections for Nevada's Leisure and Hospitality Industry (2024–2034)

by Bhramman Gulati

Executive Summary

This report analyzes projected changes in employment and common occupations in Nevada’s Leisure and Hospitality (L&H) industry, from 2024 to 2034. The industry is projected to grow at a relatively modest rate of 6.5 percent over the next ten years adding 23,480 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality ranks third among the major industries in the state in the projected number of jobs gains during this period. The majority of this growth is expected within Accommodation and Food Services (NAICS 72) subsector. Aligning with recent trends , the sector’s overall share of total employment is predicted to decline, signaling continued economic diversification in state’s economy over the next decade. At the substate level, employment is expected to expand across Nevada’s three metropolitan areas, while declining slightly in non-metropolitan counties. Because the vast majority of employment is concentrated in the Las Vegas metro area, majority of the state’s projected growth will also occur there. Major occupations within the sector are projected to grow over the next decade, though the rates will vary. The occupations projected to experience the strongest growth include Cooks, Fast food and Counter Workers, and First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers. However, average hourly wage in Leisure and Hospitality continue to be lower than the state’s overall average hourly wage. .

Introduction

The Leisure and Hospitality (L&H) industry sector encompasses diverse service fields, including lodging, food services, event planning, theme parks, transportation and other tourism-oriented products and services. Two primary subgroups comprise this industry; Arts, entertainment, and recreation (NAICS 71) and Accommodation and Food Services (NAICS 72). While the L&H industry has long been vital to Nevada’s economy, its share of employment has gradually declined. Nevertheless, it remains a primary employer of state’s workforce and a major revenue generator. From 2015 to 2019, L&H accounted for an average share of 26.1 percent of total private employment. In the post Covid-19 period (2020-2024), the average share of employment in Leisure and Hospitality was 23.3 percent, recovering from a low of 21.5 percent in 2021. In the Las Vegas metropolitan area, the post-pandemic share of employment averaged 25 percent . Although the Covid-19 pandemic impacted all industries across Nevada and the United States , Leisure and Hospitality industry suffered disproportionate job losses. Between first and second quarter of 2020, the industry lost nearly 168,000 jobs- a 48 percent reduction in total sector wide employment. Clark County accounted for most of this downturn, losing approximately 144,000 jobs (49.5 percent) during the same period. Since these record lows, Employment in L&H in the state has fully recovered and surpassed the pre-pandemic peak levels in 2024. .

Growth in Leisure and Hospitality in Nevada , 2024-2034

Recovery after Covid-19 Pandemic

Following the unprecedented decline, the industry led Nevada’s overall employment recovery in the state over subsequent years. The sector drove 37 percent of total state employment growth in 2021, and 36 percent in 2022. L&H Employment grew at an average rate of 14 percent in 2021 and 2022, before stabilizing at a 4 percent annual growth rate in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The majority of these job gains were concentrated in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area (LVMSA), where employment now exceeds its pre-pandemic peak. On the other hand, employment in the Reno-Sparks and Carson City metro areas has substantially recovered, both regions remain slightly below their respective pre-pandemic peaks.

Table 1: Impact on Employment across major industries , 2024-2034
Industry 2020 % of Total Change 2021 % of Total Change 2022 % of Total Change
Leisure and hospitality (48,300) 68% 18,325 37% 20,550 36%
Professional and business services (7,900) 11% 4,800 10% 9,725 17%
Retail trade (3,925) 5% 3,775 8% 1,750 3%
Trade , transportation , and utilities (3,250) 5% 10,075 21% 7,200 13%
Education and health services (1,600) 2% 4,900 10% 4,933 9%
Wholesale Trade (1,500) 2% 1,034 2% 1,866 3%
Manufacturing (1,475) 2% 2,350 5% 2,425 4%
Information (1,400) 2% 1,300 3% 1,767 3%
Government (1,183) 2% (67) 0% 1,250 2%
Construction (1,067) 1% 2,467 5% 5,633 10%
Mining and logging 133 0% 0 0% 0 0%
.

Projected Growth in L&H

Table 2: Sectoral Growth in Leisure and Hospitality
Sector 2024 Employment 2034 Employment Growth Growth Rate (%) Inter-Sector Rank
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 43,258 52,797 9,539 22.1 7
Accommodation and Food Services 314,822 328,763 13,941 4.4 3

Over the 2024 to 2034 forecast period, L&H is projected to grow by 23,480 jobs or 6.5 percent, making it the third-highest sector for absolute job growth in Nevada, behind Education and Health Services and Professional and Business Services. Accommodation and Food Services accounts for the majority of overall gains with 13,941 new jobs, while Art, Entertainment, and Recreation drives the higher rate of growth, adding 9,539 jobs.

Table 3: Detailed Industry Subsectors (3 Digit NAICS level)
Subsector 2024 Employment 2034 Employment Growth Growth Rate (%) Inter-Subsector Rank
Food Services and Drinking Places 148,204 152,250 10,046 6.8 3
Performing Arts , Spectator Sports , and Related Industries 12,488 18,883 6,395 51.2 7
Accommodation , including Hotels and Motels 166,618 170,513 3,895 2.3 11
Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries 29,616 32,575 2,959 10.0 17
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions 1,154 1,339 185 16.0 55

At the 3-digit NAICS subsector level, Food Services and Drinking Places are projected to add 10,046 jobs. Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries follows with 6,395 jobs-representing an extraordinary 51.2 percent growth rate. Ranking 3rd and 7th statewide in projected gains, respectively, these two subsectors remain primary engines of workforce expansion.

Strong projected growth in Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries subsector reflects a structural shift from traditional casino-gaming tourism toward major sports and entertainment events. High profile additions like Formula-1 racing, the Super Bowl, and major residency concerts continue to accelerate this trend, which is most pronounced in the Las Vegas metro area.

Projected Growth by Areas

Although L&H remains dominant sector in the state, its overall share of employment and growth rate vary significantly by region. Employment is projected to expand across all three metropolitan areas over the forecasted period, led by Las Vegas metro area with an addition of 19,602 jobs (ranking third in job growth in the Las Vegas metro area). In Reno-Sparks, L&H ranks fourth in total projected gains with 4,758 new jobs (a 12.5 percent increase), while Carson City ranks sixth with modest growth of 137 jobs.

Conversely, employment in the Balance of State[3] is projected to decline by 1,017 jobs (-5.8 percent). This projected contraction reflects recent decline in tourism combined with ongoing workforce reallocation towards expanding sectors like Mining, and Manufacturing.

Table 4: Leisure and Hospitality Projected Growth by Area
Substate Areas 2024 Employment 2034 Employment Growth Growth Rate (%) Inter-Sector Rank
Reno-Sparks 38,185 42,943 4,758 12.5 4
Las Vegas 298,893 318,495 19,602 6.6 3
Carson City 3,437 3,574 137 4.0 6
Balance of State 17,565 16,548 (1,017) (5.8) 11

Growth across Occupations

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations represent the largest driver of occupational expansion within Nevada’s L&H sector. Restaurant Cooks lead the sector gains with a projected new 4,163 jobs, followed closely by Fast Food and Counter Workers (+ 4,071 jobs). Supervisory roles, Waiters and Waitresses, and Bartenders are also projected to add over 1,300 jobs each. Notably, Entertainers, Performers, and Sports Workers exhibit the highest relative growth rate at 30.0 percent (+1,108 jobs), further reinforcing the state’s strategic pivot towards sports and entertainment. Overall, 11 of the top 12 L&H occupations rank within the 100 fastest-growing occupations statewide, underscoring the sector’s enduring role as a leading employment generator in Nevada.

Table 5: Top Occupations by Absolute Job Growth in the Leisure and Hospitality Sector
Occupation Title 2024 Employment 2034 Employment Growth Growth Rate (%) L & H Rank Total Occ Rank
Cooks, Restaurant 25,938 30,101 4,163 16.1 1 4
Fast Food and Counter Workers 44,477 48,548 4,071 9.2 2 6
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 14,692 16,059 1,367 9.3 3 27
Waiters and Waitresses 40,001 41,342 1,341 3.4 4 30
Bartenders 17,208 18,516 1,308 7.6 5 32
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers 13,256 14,374 1,118 8.4 6 37
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other 13,256 14,374 1,108 30.0 7 39
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 26,301 26,971 670 2.6 8 60
Amusement and Recreation Attendants 5,816 6,461 645 11.1 9 63
Food Service Managers 5,448 6,003 555 10.2 10 75
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers 4,804 5,262 458 9.5 11 95
Chefs and Head Cooks 4,743 5,164 421 8.9 12 101

Wages

Although Leisure and Hospitality remains a vital employer in Nevada, baseline earnings across the sector lag behind broader national and state averages. In 2024, the sector’s hourly mean wage in Nevada was $21.35 ($42,700 annually), compared to $ 29.83 ($ 62,050 annually) for all occupations statewide. Nevada’s sector average also falls slightly below the national L&H hourly average of $ 22.04.

Considerable wage dispersion exists across specific roles within the sector. Only three major occupations command average hourly wages above Nevada’s overall state average ($ 29.83): Food Services Managers ($37.28), Entertainment and Performers ($ 36.92), and Chefs and Head Cooks ($32.39). All other major L&H roles fall below the statewide average, with entry-level and front-line positions – such as Fast Food Workers ($15.78) and Amusement Attendants ($15.37) – ranking near the bottom of state wage distribution.

Table 6: Average Wages (Annual and Hourly) for Common Occupations in L&H (2024)
Occupation Title Nevada Wage Rank US Hourly Mean $ NV Hourly Mean $ US Annual Mean $ NV Hourly Mean $
All Occupations 25,938 30,101 4,163 16.1 1
Leisure and Hospitality 44,477 48,548 4,071 9.2 2
Food Service Managers 14,692 16,059 1,367 9.3 3
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers 40,001 41,342 1,341 3.4 4
Chefs and Head Cooks 17,208 18,516 1,308 7.6 5
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers 13,256 14,374 1,118 8.4 6
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 13,256 14,374 1,108 30.0 7
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 26,301 26,971 670 2.6 8
Cooks, Restaurant 5,816 6,461 645 11.1 9
Waiters and Waitresses 5,448 6,003 555 10.2 10
Bartenders 4,804 5,262 458 9.5 11
Fast Food and Counter Workers 4,743 5,164 421 8.9 12
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers 4,743 5,164 421 8.9 12
Amusement and Recreation Attendants 4,743 5,164 421 8.9 12

Conclusion

Leisure and Hospitality has long served as a foundational pillar of Nevada’s economy. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the sector experienced an unprecedented downturn compared to other major industries in the state. However, it subsequently displayed a rapid recovery, with total employment surpassing pre-pandemic peal levels by 2024. Looking ahead, the industry is projected to grow from 358,080 workers in 2024 to 381,560 workers in 2034 - a 6.5 percent growth rate. While this pace trails the state’s overall projected growth of 10.5 percent, L&H will remain Nevada’s largest major employer. Although its share of total employment is projected to decline slightly from 23.5 percent in 2024 to 22.5 percent in 2034, the sector will continue to play an indispensable role in shaping Nevada’s broader economic landscape.

References