LAS VEGAS -- Nevada’s employment woes worsened in May, with the state recording its highest jobless level since record-keeping began in 1976.

An estimated 154,600 people were out of work last month, according to the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. Of that total, officials said 112,700 were in Clark County.

Survey: Have You Or Someone You Know Lost A Job In The Last Year?

In May 2008, the Las Vegas jobless rate was 5.7 percent, but reached 11.1 percent last month.

Nationally, the unemployment rate jumped from 8.9 percent in April to 9.4 percent in May, and it stands 3.9 percentage points higher than a year ago.

“Nevada is experiencing the backlash from slowed consumer spending and declining visitor volume,” said William Anderson, chief economist for the DETR. “High gas prices have a severe effect on tourism visitation numbers and could pose serious threats to an economic recovery going forward.”