Moving between states / Arizona
Washingtonto
Arizona, ElectricianMoving from Washington to Arizona as a journeyman electrician
What a journeyman electrician licensed in Washington has to do to work in Arizona, what the move does to your pay, and who in Arizona is hiring from out of state.
Licensed by the city. Arizona has no state electrician licence; the Arizona Registrar of Contractors decide what card you need, and it can differ between cities. No state journeyman licence; contractors license through the Registrar and cities run their own electrician cards where they require one. Ask the contractor hiring you which municipality the first job is in and apply to that one. Your Washington state licence is evidence of hours, not a licence there.
What the move does to your paycheck
On a $60,000 salary Arizona takes roughly $1,500 a year more than Washington does, because you are leaving a state with no income tax on wages.
| Salary | Washington state tax | Arizona state tax | Difference a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $0 | $1,000 | -$1,000 |
| $60,000 | $0 | $1,500 | -$1,500 |
| $90,000 | $0 | $2,250 | -$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: Washington to Arizona
Transfers by reciprocity. Your Washington certificate stays on the Washington State Department of Health, Nursing Assistant Certified program; to work in Arizona you apply to the Arizona State Board of Nursing (CNA and LNA certification) for reciprocity. It accepts an active certificate in good standing from another state; there is no retest if your record is clean. Most registries list you within two to six weeks.
RN and LPN: Washington to Arizona
Works on day one. Both Washington and Arizona are in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate RN or LPN licence from Washington is valid in Arizona the day you arrive. Once Arizona is your primary residence, apply there for a Arizona multistate licence; most boards allow 30 to 60 days.
CDL: Washington to Arizona
Transfers at the DMV. A commercial driver's licence transfers like any licence: within 30 days of becoming a Arizona resident you surrender the Washington CDL at a Arizona 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 Arizona. Your driving record follows you through the federal CDLIS system.
Does Arizona pay you to come?
No statewide program in Arizona 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 Arizona
157 open positions filed with the Department of Labor by Arizona employers who could not fill them locally.
- Program Specialist IV - AI Bugs & OutagesUber · Phoenix
- Relationship Banker - Mesa AreaBank of America · Mesa
- Residential Review AppraiserBank of America · Chandler
- Ops Proficiency Coach IBank of America · Phoenix
- Maintenance - Level IEquity Lifestyle Properties · Tucson
- FencingBayless & Berkalew Co. Inc. · Benson · $19.73/hr
Your own route from Washington to Arizona
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 Arizona employers.
Plan my move to ArizonaSame move, by trade
CNA: Washington to Arizona · RN or LPN: Washington to Arizona · Truck driver: Washington to Arizona · All licences: Washington to Arizona
From Washington to the states next to Arizona
California (progressive, top rate 13.3%) · Nevada (no state income tax) · Utah (flat 4.5% state income tax) · Colorado (flat 4.4% state income tax) · New Mexico (progressive, top rate 5.9%)
To Arizona from the states next to Washington
Everything about working in Arizona · All moves between states · All 50 states