Moving between states / Maine

Flag of WashingtonWashingtontoFlag of MaineMaine, Electrician

Moving from Washington to Maine as a journeyman electrician

What a journeyman electrician licensed in Washington has to do to work in Maine, what the move does to your pay, and who in Maine is hiring from out of state.

Reciprocity likely. Maine licenses electricians at state level through the Maine Electricians' Examining Board, and Maine reciprocates with New Hampshire, Vermont and a few other states for journeymen. Your Washington licence comes from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, a state body, which is what a reciprocity application needs: ask it for a verification letter before you move.

What the move does to your paycheck

On a $60,000 salary Maine takes roughly $3,003 a year more than Washington does, because you are leaving a state with no income tax on wages.

SalaryWashington state taxMaine state taxDifference a year
$40,000$0$2,002-$2,002
$60,000$0$3,003-$3,003
$90,000$0$4,505-$4,505

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 Maine

Transfers by reciprocity. Your Washington certificate stays on the Washington State Department of Health, Nursing Assistant Certified program; to work in Maine you apply to the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers 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 Maine

Works on day one. Both Washington and Maine are in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate RN or LPN licence from Washington is valid in Maine the day you arrive. Once Maine is your primary residence, apply there for a Maine multistate licence; most boards allow 30 to 60 days.

CDL: Washington to Maine

Transfers at the DMV. A commercial driver's licence transfers like any licence: within 30 days of becoming a Maine resident you surrender the Washington CDL at a Maine 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 Maine. Your driving record follows you through the federal CDLIS system.

  • Student Loan Repayment Tax Credit: up to $2,500 a year against Maine income tax. For workers living and paying off student loans in Maine.

Openings filed in Maine

10 open positions filed with the Department of Labor by Maine employers who could not fill them locally.

Your own route from Washington to Maine

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 Maine employers.

Plan my move to Maine

Same move, by trade

CNA: Washington to Maine · RN or LPN: Washington to Maine · Truck driver: Washington to Maine · All licences: Washington to Maine

From Washington to the states next to Maine

New Hampshire (no state income tax)

To Maine from the states next to Washington

Oregon · Idaho

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