RALEIGH — North Carolina’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point in November to 9.1 percent. The national rate also fell 0.2 of a percentage point, from 7.9 percent to 7.7 percent. North Carolina’s November 2012 unemployment rate is 1.3 percentage points lower than a year ago.

The number of people employed (smoothed seasonally adjusted) increased 34,884 to 4,304,088 over the month, and 120,527 over the year.

Seasonally adjusted total non-farm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 30,600 to 3,995,700 in November. The major industry with the largest over-the-month increase was trade, transportation and utilities, which gained 7,300 jobs, followed by professional and business services, 5,400; education and health services, 4,900; leisure and hospitality services, 4,600 jobs; manufacturing, 3,900; construction, 1,700; and financial activities, 600.

Since February 2010, when the state’s unemployment rate reached its highest mark of 11.4 percent, North Carolina has gained 145,300 jobs.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Jan. 3, 2013 when the county unemployment rates for November 2012 will be released.