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 Colorado
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
General ContractingCRITICAL
TDI
80.5
COL-adj wage
$122k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
ElectricalCRITICAL
TDI
79
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
HVACCRITICAL
TDI
75.4
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+16%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
PlumbingCRITICAL
TDI
71.7
COL-adj wage
$62k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
Windows & DoorsCRITICAL
TDI
70.6
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
Garage DoorsCRITICAL
TDI
68.7
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+21%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
SolarCRITICAL
TDI
68.2
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
+50%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
FlooringCRITICAL
TDI
66.9
COL-adj wage
$45k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Fire ProtectionCRITICAL
TDI
61.2
COL-adj wage
$63k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Pool & SpaCRITICAL
TDI
60.2
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Concrete & MasonrySHORTAGE
TDI
59.4
COL-adj wage
$60k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
PaintingCRITICAL
TDI
58.9
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
LandscapingCRITICAL
TDI
56.6
COL-adj wage
$45k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
InsulationCRITICAL
TDI
54.8
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
RoofingCRITICAL
TDI
54.1
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
Pest ControlCRITICAL
TDI
53.2
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Cleaning & RestorationCRITICAL
TDI
50.1
COL-adj wage
$38k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Appliance RepairSHORTAGE
TDI
50
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
FencingSHORTAGE
TDI
40.7
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithSHORTAGE
TDI
32.6
COL-adj wage
$47k
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