Moving between states / California
Pennsylvaniato
California, RN or LPNMoving from Pennsylvania to California as a registered or practical nurse
What a registered or practical nurse licensed in Pennsylvania has to do to work in California, what the move does to your pay, and who in California is hiring from out of state.
Endorsement needed. California is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so your Pennsylvania multistate licence does not work there. Apply to the California Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement before you move; it commonly takes six to twelve weeks. Your Pennsylvania licence stays valid for compact states.
What the move does to your paycheck
On a $60,000 salary California takes roughly $3,744 a year more than Pennsylvania does.
| Salary | Pennsylvania state tax | California state tax | Difference a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,228 | $3,724 | -$2,496 |
| $60,000 | $1,842 | $5,586 | -$3,744 |
| $90,000 | $2,763 | $8,379 | -$5,616 |
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 Pennsylvania: municipalities add an earned income tax, 1% in most places and 3.75% in Philadelphia. Property and sales tax are not in it.
CNA: Pennsylvania to California
Transfers by reciprocity. Your Pennsylvania certificate stays on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry (Pennsylvania Department of Education, administered by Credentia); 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.
Electrician: Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.
CDL: Pennsylvania to California
Transfers at the DMV. A commercial driver's licence transfers like any licence: within 30 days of becoming a California resident you surrender the Pennsylvania 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.
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 Pennsylvania 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: Pennsylvania to California · Electrician: Pennsylvania to California · Truck driver: Pennsylvania to California · All licences: Pennsylvania to California
From Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
New York · New Jersey · Delaware · Maryland · West Virginia · Ohio
Everything about working in California · All moves between states · All 50 states