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 Arizona
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
63.7
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+19%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
HVACSURPLUS
TDI
58.5
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
+18%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
Windows & DoorsBALANCED
TDI
58.4
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+18%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
PlumbingBALANCED
TDI
58.2
COL-adj wage
$62k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
General ContractingSURPLUS
TDI
57.5
COL-adj wage
$115k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
SolarBALANCED
TDI
53.4
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+43%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
FlooringSURPLUS
TDI
48.2
COL-adj wage
$45k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Garage DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
47.1
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+27%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Concrete & MasonrySURPLUS
TDI
44.5
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Pool & SpaSURPLUS
TDI
43.3
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
PaintingSURPLUS
TDI
41
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
RoofingBALANCED
TDI
39.2
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Appliance RepairBALANCED
TDI
38.7
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
InsulationBALANCED
TDI
38.1
COL-adj wage
$42k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
Pest ControlBALANCED
TDI
37.7
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
FencingBALANCED
TDI
36.2
COL-adj wage
$46k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
LandscapingSURPLUS
TDI
36.1
COL-adj wage
$39k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Cleaning & RestorationBALANCED
TDI
33.2
COL-adj wage
$36k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Fire ProtectionSURPLUS
TDI
27.4
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithSURPLUS
TDI
15
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+0%
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