Maryland added 3,800 jobs in November, dropping the unemployment rate to 5.6 percent, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The private sector was responsible for 2,800 of those jobs and has added 16,500 in the state since January.

Transportation and utilities sector added 2,600 jobs, professional and business services sector gained 1,200 jobs and mining, logging and construction sector gained 300 jobs.

The number of jobs added in Maryland in October was also increased from 1,400 to 2,800, but the unemployment percentage remained at 6 percent.

Unemployment rates fell in 41 U.S. states in November and were unchanged in six more, reflecting healthy job gains across the country.

The Labor Department said Friday that unemployment rates rose in only three states: Connecticut, Louisiana, and Washington state.

Solid economic growth since the spring has encouraged more employers to step up hiring. The U.S. has added nearly 2.7 million jobs this year, the most since 1999. That has lowered unemployment rates in most of the country.

Nationwide, the unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in November, down from 7 percent a year ago. Employers added 321,000 jobs last month, the most in three years.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.