LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s jobless rate continues to fall but it’s still above 10 percent.

The state Employment Development Department says the rate was 10.1 percent in October, down from 10.2 percent a month earlier.

There were 45,800 jobs added to payrolls. The private sector did well, adding jobs in construction and higher-paying professional areas. In a good start for the shopping season, 20,500 retail jobs were added.

The biggest job losses were in government — part of an ongoing trend.

Overall, department spokesman Kevin Callori says California’s jobless rate continues to drop — continuing an economic turnaround that began in February of 2010.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.