WASHINGTON — Payrolls increased in 29 states in November, while the jobless rate declined in 43, a sign the labor market is recovering across much of the United States.

In Maine, Labor Commissioner Robert said Tuesday that November’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted rate was 0.3 percent lower than the 7.3 percent rate in October. It was also 0.5 percent lower than the state’s 7.5 percent rate a year ago.

He said the estimates continue to be volatile from month to month, subject to significant revisions.

Unemployment rates in the region ranged from a low of 5.2 percent in New Hampshire to a high of 10.5 percent in Rhode Island. The New England average was 7.3 percent.

New York led the nation with a 29,500 gain in jobs, followed by Texas with 20,800, figures from the Labor Department showed Tuesday in Washington. The biggest drop in unemployment was in Michigan, where the jobless rate fell 0.8 percentage point to 9.8 percent.

“We’re seeing a modest recovery in hiring across much of the country,” said Mark Vitner, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte, N.C. “There are a few hot spots where activity is stronger.”

The unemployment rates in Alabama, Minnesota, South Carolina and Utah dropped by 0.6 of a percentage point each in November, marking the second-biggest declines statistically.

Nevada’s jobless rate dropped to 13 percent from 13.4 percent in October, still leaving it as the highest in the country. California followed at 11.3 percent. North Dakota had the lowest unemployment at 3.4 percent.

The economy expanded at a 2 percent pace in the third quarter, revised government data showed last month.