Moving between states / California
New Yorkto
California, Truck driverMoving from New York to California as a CDL holder
What a CDL holder licensed in New York has to do to work in California, what the move does to your pay, and who in California is hiring from out of state.
Transfers at the DMV. A commercial driver's licence transfers like any licence: within 30 days of becoming a California resident you surrender the New York CDL at a California 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 California. Your driving record follows you through the federal CDLIS system.
What the move does to your paycheck
On a $60,000 salary California takes roughly $1,008 a year more than New York does.
| Salary | New York state tax | California state tax | Difference a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $3,052 | $3,724 | -$672 |
| $60,000 | $4,578 | $5,586 | -$1,008 |
| $90,000 | $6,867 | $8,379 | -$1,512 |
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 California: plus a 1.1% payroll tax for disability insurance. In New York: New York City adds up to 3.876%. Property and sales tax are not in it.
CNA: New York to California
Transfers by reciprocity. Your New York certificate stays on the New York State Nurse Aide Registry (administered by Prometric for the Department of Health); to work in California you apply to the California Department of Public Health, Aide and Technician Certification Section for reciprocity. Reciprocity needs an active certificate in good standing and recent paid nurse aide work; California issues its own certificate rather than endorsing yours. Most registries list you within two to six weeks.
RN and LPN: New York to California
Endorsement needed. Neither New York nor California is in the Nurse Licensure Compact. You apply to the California Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement: verification of your New York licence through Nursys, a fingerprint background check and the fee. Start before you give notice; six to twelve weeks is normal.
Electrician: New York to California
Exam required. California licenses electricians through the Division of Industrial Relations (certification) and Contractors State License Board (C-10) and does not reciprocate with any state. Your New York hours count toward eligibility, so get them certified in writing by the City and county building departments before you move and book the California exam early.
Does California pay you to come?
No statewide program in California 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 California
337 open positions filed with the Department of Labor by California employers who could not fill them locally.
- Sr Software Engineer - Backend, Consumer Structural PricingUber · San Francisco
- Senior Banker -Hollywood area - Bilingual Korean requiredBank of America · Los Angeles
- Senior Regional Manager, Air FreightFlexport · Los Angeles
- Customs Specialist - Join Our Talent CommunityFlexport · Los Angeles
- QA Engineer II - VALORANT, Organized PlayRiot Games · Los Angeles
- Senior Security Engineer, Player SecurityRiot Games · Los Angeles
Your own route from New York to California
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 California employers.
Plan my move to CaliforniaSame move, by trade
CNA: New York to California · RN or LPN: New York to California · Electrician: New York to California · All licences: New York to California
From New York to the states next to California
Oregon (progressive, top rate 9.9%) · Nevada (no state income tax) · Arizona (flat 2.5% state income tax)
To California from the states next to New York
Vermont · Massachusetts · Connecticut · New Jersey · Pennsylvania
Everything about working in California · All moves between states · All 50 states