Moving between states / Hawaii
Washingtonto
Hawaii, Truck driverMoving from Washington to Hawaii as a CDL holder
What a CDL holder licensed in Washington has to do to work in Hawaii, what the move does to your pay, and who in Hawaii 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 Hawaii resident you surrender the Washington CDL at a Hawaii 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 Hawaii. Your driving record follows you through the federal CDLIS system.
What the move does to your paycheck
On a $60,000 salary Hawaii takes roughly $4,620 a year more than Washington does, because you are leaving a state with no income tax on wages.
| Salary | Washington state tax | Hawaii state tax | Difference a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $0 | $3,080 | -$3,080 |
| $60,000 | $0 | $4,620 | -$4,620 |
| $90,000 | $0 | $6,930 | -$6,930 |
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 Hawaii
Transfers by reciprocity. Your Washington certificate stays on the Washington State Department of Health, Nursing Assistant Certified program; to work in Hawaii you apply to the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Nurse Aide Registry (administered by Prometric) 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 Hawaii
Endorsement needed. Hawaii is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so your Washington multistate licence does not work there. Apply to the Hawaii Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement before you move; it commonly takes six to twelve weeks. Your Washington licence stays valid for compact states.
Electrician: Washington to Hawaii
Exam required. Hawaii licenses electricians through the Hawaii Board of Electricians and Plumbers and does not reciprocate with any state. Your Washington hours count toward eligibility, so get them certified in writing by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries before you move and book the Hawaii exam early.
Does Hawaii pay you to come?
No statewide program in Hawaii 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 Hawaii
25 open positions filed with the Department of Labor by Hawaii employers who could not fill them locally.
- Sr. Field Performance Technician (Talent Pool, Future)Sunrun · Honolulu
- Certified Journeyman Electrician (Talent Pool, Future)Sunrun · Honolulu
- Field Sales ConsultantSunrun · Honolulu
- Shop HelperA Team Pacific Roofing, Inc. · Kapolei · $23.18 to 25/hr
- Aquaculture WorkerAloun Farm, Inc. · Kekaha · $16/hr
- Sr. Solar Service TechnicianSunrun · Honolulu
Your own route from Washington to Hawaii
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 Hawaii employers.
Plan my move to HawaiiSame move, by trade
CNA: Washington to Hawaii · RN or LPN: Washington to Hawaii · Electrician: Washington to Hawaii · All licences: Washington to Hawaii
From Washington to the states next to Hawaii
To Hawaii from the states next to Washington
Everything about working in Hawaii · All moves between states · All 50 states