Moving between states / Washington
Arizonato
WashingtonMoving from Arizona to Washington for work
What moves with you from Arizona to Washington: your licence, your take-home pay, and the programs that pay people to come. Every line below is computed from the two states' rules.
What the move does to your paycheck
On a $60,000 salary Washington leaves you roughly $1,500 a year more than Arizona does, because Washington has no state income tax on wages.
| Salary | Arizona state tax | Washington state tax | Difference a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,000 | $0 | +$1,000 |
| $60,000 | $1,500 | $0 | +$1,500 |
| $90,000 | $2,250 | $0 | +$2,250 |
Rough figures for a single filer: exact in the flat-rate and no-tax states, approximated at 70% of the top bracket in the progressive ones. In Washington: no tax on wages; a 7% tax on large capital gains and a payroll premium for long-term care. Property and sales tax are not in it.
CNA: Arizona to Washington
Transfers by reciprocity. Your Arizona certificate stays on the Arizona State Board of Nursing (CNA and LNA certification); to work in Washington you apply to the Washington State Department of Health, Nursing Assistant Certified program for reciprocity. Washington certifies nursing assistants (NA-C) and credentials out-of-state CNAs by endorsement. Most registries list you within two to six weeks.
RN and LPN: Arizona to Washington
Works on day one. Both Arizona and Washington are in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate RN or LPN licence from Arizona is valid in Washington the day you arrive. Once Washington is your primary residence, apply there for a Washington multistate licence; most boards allow 30 to 60 days.
Electrician: Arizona to Washington
Exam likely. Washington licenses at state level through the Washington Department of Labor and Industries and reciprocates with other state boards, but Arizona licenses locally through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, which is not a party to those agreements. Expect to document your hours and sit the Washington journeyman exam.
CDL: Arizona to Washington
Transfers at the DMV. A commercial driver's licence transfers like any licence: within 30 days of becoming a Washington resident you surrender the Arizona CDL at a Washington driver licence office, pass the vision test, pay the fee, and your endorsements carry over. A hazmat endorsement needs a fresh TSA threat assessment in Washington. Your driving record follows you through the federal CDLIS system.
Does Washington pay you to come?
No statewide program in Washington pays people to move in. Towns sometimes list an offer through MakeMyMove, and employers in short-staffed trades pay relocation themselves; ask for it in writing before you accept.
Openings filed in Washington
171 open positions filed with the Department of Labor by Washington employers who could not fill them locally.
- Director, Engineering - ObservabilityUber · Seattle
- Credit Analyst II/Credit Underwriter I-Commercial Real Estate CreditBank of America · Seattle
- Senior Account Manager, FulfillmentFlexport · Bellevue
- Manager, Ocean FreightFlexport · Bellevue
- Customs SpecialistFlexport · Bellevue
- Sr. Sales Manager (Global Starlink Enterprise Sales)SpaceX · Redmond
Your own route from Arizona to Washington
Tell us your trade and your licence. We write the steps for your case, check the job offer for scams, and keep your resume ready for Washington employers.
Plan my move to WashingtonSame move, by trade
CNA: Arizona to Washington · RN or LPN: Arizona to Washington · Electrician: Arizona to Washington · Truck driver: Arizona to Washington
From Arizona to the states next to Washington
Oregon (progressive, top rate 9.9%) · Idaho (flat 5.3% state income tax)
To Washington from the states next to Arizona
California · Nevada · Utah · Colorado · New Mexico
Everything about working in Washington · All moves between states · All 50 states