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 Georgia
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
ElectricalTIGHTENING
TDI
68.1
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
HVACTIGHTENING
TDI
63.9
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
+18%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
General ContractingSURPLUS
TDI
61.7
COL-adj wage
$115k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
PlumbingTIGHTENING
TDI
59.6
COL-adj wage
$60k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
FlooringTIGHTENING
TDI
59.3
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+20%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
Garage DoorsTIGHTENING
TDI
54
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+25%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Appliance RepairCRITICAL
TDI
53.8
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Windows & DoorsTIGHTENING
TDI
52.8
COL-adj wage
$45k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Pool & SpaBALANCED
TDI
48.8
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
InsulationTIGHTENING
TDI
47
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Concrete & MasonryTIGHTENING
TDI
45.9
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
LandscapingTIGHTENING
TDI
43.4
COL-adj wage
$40k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
PaintingBALANCED
TDI
43.4
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
RoofingTIGHTENING
TDI
43.3
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
Fire ProtectionBALANCED
TDI
42.9
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
Cleaning & RestorationTIGHTENING
TDI
38.9
COL-adj wage
$36k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Pest ControlTIGHTENING
TDI
38.4
COL-adj wage
$39k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
FencingTIGHTENING
TDI
35.3
COL-adj wage
$39k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
SolarSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
35.3
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithSURPLUS
TDI
27.9
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
-2%
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