Moving between states / New Mexico
Washingtonto
New Mexico, RN or LPNMoving from Washington to New Mexico as a registered or practical nurse
What a registered or practical nurse licensed in Washington has to do to work in New Mexico, what the move does to your pay, and who in New Mexico is hiring from out of state.
Works on day one. Both Washington and New Mexico are in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate RN or LPN licence from Washington is valid in New Mexico the day you arrive. Once New Mexico is your primary residence, apply there for a New Mexico multistate licence; most boards allow 30 to 60 days.
What the move does to your paycheck
On a $60,000 salary New Mexico 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 | New Mexico 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 New Mexico
Transfers by reciprocity. Your Washington certificate stays on the Washington State Department of Health, Nursing Assistant Certified program; to work in New Mexico you apply to the New Mexico Department of Health, 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 New Mexico
Reciprocity likely. New Mexico licenses electricians at state level through the New Mexico Construction Industries Division, and reciprocity for journeymen from states with an equivalent exam, mostly the western group. 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 New Mexico
Transfers at the DMV. A commercial driver's licence transfers like any licence: within 30 days of becoming a New Mexico resident you surrender the Washington CDL at a New Mexico 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 New Mexico. Your driving record follows you through the federal CDLIS system.
Does New Mexico pay you to come?
No statewide program in New Mexico 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 New Mexico
63 open positions filed with the Department of Labor by New Mexico employers who could not fill them locally.
- Agricultural Equipment OperatorsWalther Farms LLC - NM · Farmington · $12.35/hr
- Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck DriversRorros Trucking LLC · Artesia · $19.85/hr
- Agricultural Equipment OperatorDesert Diamond Trucking LLC · Loving · $15.96/hr
- Breeding AssistantMJ Farms · Veguita · $15.96/hr
- Farm WorkerBilly the Kid Produce · Deming · $12.35/hr
- Agricultural Equipment OperatorMimbres Ranch, LLC · Deming · $12.35/hr
Your own route from Washington to New Mexico
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 New Mexico employers.
Plan my move to New MexicoSame move, by trade
CNA: Washington to New Mexico · Electrician: Washington to New Mexico · Truck driver: Washington to New Mexico · All licences: Washington to New Mexico
From Washington to the states next to New Mexico
Colorado (flat 4.4% state income tax) · Oklahoma (progressive, top rate 4.75%) · Texas (no state income tax) · Arizona (flat 2.5% state income tax) · Utah (flat 4.5% state income tax)
To New Mexico from the states next to Washington
Everything about working in New Mexico · All moves between states · All 50 states