Moving between states / Montana
Washingtonto
Montana, RN or LPNMoving from Washington to Montana as a registered or practical nurse
What a registered or practical nurse licensed in Washington has to do to work in Montana, what the move does to your pay, and who in Montana is hiring from out of state.
Works on day one. Both Washington and Montana are in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate RN or LPN licence from Washington is valid in Montana the day you arrive. Once Montana is your primary residence, apply there for a Montana multistate licence; most boards allow 30 to 60 days.
What the move does to your paycheck
On a $60,000 salary Montana takes roughly $2,478 a year more than Washington does, because you are leaving a state with no income tax on wages.
| Salary | Washington state tax | Montana state tax | Difference a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $0 | $1,652 | -$1,652 |
| $60,000 | $0 | $2,478 | -$2,478 |
| $90,000 | $0 | $3,717 | -$3,717 |
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 Montana
Transfers by reciprocity. Your Washington certificate stays on the Washington State Department of Health, Nursing Assistant Certified program; to work in Montana you apply to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Nurse Aide Registry 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.
Electrician: Washington to Montana
Reciprocity likely. Montana licenses electricians at state level through the Montana State Electrical Board, and reciprocity with the western group of states for journeymen with an equivalent licence. 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.
CDL: Washington to Montana
Transfers at the DMV. A commercial driver's licence transfers like any licence: within 30 days of becoming a Montana resident you surrender the Washington CDL at a Montana 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 Montana. Your driving record follows you through the federal CDLIS system.
Does Montana pay you to come?
No statewide program in Montana 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 Montana
72 open positions filed with the Department of Labor by Montana employers who could not fill them locally.
- Farm WorkerSilverado Farms II · Geraldine · $18.62/hr
- Ag Equipment OperatorIronhorse Ag & Excavation, Inc · Shelby · $13.46/hr
- General Farm RanchAmos Enterprises · Havre · $13.46/hr
- Livestock WorkerHuntsman Ranch Company · Dell · $13.46/hr
- General Farm/RanchValley View Charolais Ranch, Inc · Polson · $13.46/hr
- Farm/Irrigation/Livestock WorkerPancost Cattle Co. · Twin Bridges · $13.46/hr
Your own route from Washington to Montana
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 Montana employers.
Plan my move to MontanaSame move, by trade
CNA: Washington to Montana · Electrician: Washington to Montana · Truck driver: Washington to Montana · All licences: Washington to Montana
From Washington to the states next to Montana
North Dakota (progressive, top rate 2.5%) · South Dakota (no state income tax) · Wyoming (no state income tax) · Idaho (flat 5.3% state income tax)
To Montana from the states next to Washington
Everything about working in Montana · All moves between states · All 50 states