Trade
National TDI
69/ 100
Median wage
$69k
10-yr projected growth
+13%
States in shortage
18of 50
01 · The map
Shortage signal, by state
Each tile is a state, shaded by how tight the market is for Electrical — postings and structural pressure measured against the local workforce. Select a state to rank its trades below.
DC
Shortage signalSurplusBalancedTighteningShortageCritical
Tightest markets
Electrical · top 10 states
02 · The roundup
Most in-demand
trades in Alabama
Change state
Ranked by state TDI. Wage is adjusted to local cost of living, so a lower headline number can still mean more take-home.
1
ElectricalBALANCED
TDI
66.6
COL-adj wage
$63k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
General ContractingBALANCED
TDI
63.1
COL-adj wage
$110k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
PlumbingSURPLUS
TDI
57
COL-adj wage
$67k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
HVACTIGHTENING
TDI
56.7
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
Windows & DoorsTIGHTENING
TDI
55.1
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
FlooringTIGHTENING
TDI
54.6
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Concrete & MasonryTIGHTENING
TDI
45.3
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Pool & SpaBALANCED
TDI
45
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
RoofingTIGHTENING
TDI
44.5
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
InsulationBALANCED
TDI
43.2
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Appliance RepairBALANCED
TDI
42.1
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Fire ProtectionSURPLUS
TDI
41.4
COL-adj wage
$70k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
LandscapingBALANCED
TDI
39.1
COL-adj wage
$40k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
PaintingSURPLUS
TDI
38.6
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
FencingTIGHTENING
TDI
38
COL-adj wage
$45k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
Pest ControlBALANCED
TDI
37.3
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Cleaning & RestorationBALANCED
TDI
33
COL-adj wage
$35k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
SolarSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
32.8
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Garage DoorsSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
28
COL-adj wage
$43k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithBALANCED
TDI
25.6
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
-6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
03 · The calculator
Trade vs. college,
net of debt
Cumulative earnings minus outstanding debt, from age 18, starting from Electrical’s real median wage. The trade path earns from day one; the degree path pays tuition first, then catches up — sometimes. Move the sliders.
Trade starting wage$48k
Grad starting salary$58k
Tuition & costs / yr$24k
Assumes 4-yr degree, 6% loan interest, 18% of income to repayment, 3%/yr raises. Trade path: apprentice ramp yrs 1–4, journeyman after.
Trade at age 30
$625k
Degree at age 30
$449k
Trade ahead by
$176k
Age 18Age 24Age 30
Trade path4-yr degreeTrade leads through age 30