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 Arkansas
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
ElectricalSURPLUS
TDI
50.4
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
General ContractingSURPLUS
TDI
49.5
COL-adj wage
$99k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
HVACSURPLUS
TDI
45.6
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
FlooringSURPLUS
TDI
39.6
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
Garage DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
39
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+19%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
PlumbingSURPLUS
TDI
38.4
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Pest ControlBALANCED
TDI
36.7
COL-adj wage
$43k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
LandscapingSURPLUS
TDI
34.7
COL-adj wage
$41k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Pool & SpaSURPLUS
TDI
34
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
FencingSURPLUS
TDI
32.3
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Windows & DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
31.9
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Fire ProtectionSURPLUS
TDI
30.1
COL-adj wage
$71k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
RoofingSURPLUS
TDI
29.6
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Concrete & MasonrySURPLUS
TDI
29.4
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
SolarSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
27.8
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
Cleaning & RestorationSURPLUS
TDI
27.4
COL-adj wage
$34k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
PaintingSURPLUS
TDI
26.4
COL-adj wage
$46k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
InsulationSURPLUS
TDI
23.5
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Appliance RepairSURPLUS
TDI
18.9
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
-3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithSURPLUS
TDI
9
COL-adj wage
$41k
10-yr growth
-11%
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