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 Illinois
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
SolarSURPLUS
TDI
57.5
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
+96%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
ElectricalSURPLUS
TDI
50.8
COL-adj wage
$99k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
FlooringSURPLUS
TDI
47.5
COL-adj wage
$69k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
HVACSURPLUS
TDI
43.7
COL-adj wage
$77k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
Garage DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
43.1
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
Windows & DoorsSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
42.5
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
PlumbingSURPLUS
TDI
41.7
COL-adj wage
$99k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
General ContractingSURPLUS
TDI
40.2
COL-adj wage
$108k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Concrete & MasonrySURPLUS
TDI
36.3
COL-adj wage
$77k
10-yr growth
-3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Pool & SpaSURPLUS
TDI
32
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
RoofingSURPLUS
TDI
29.6
COL-adj wage
$77k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
PaintingSURPLUS
TDI
27.9
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Fire ProtectionSURPLUS
TDI
26.9
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Appliance RepairSURPLUS
TDI
25.4
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
-6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
InsulationSURPLUS
TDI
20.8
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
LocksmithSURPLUS
TDI
18.5
COL-adj wage
$58k
10-yr growth
-12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
LandscapingSURPLUS
TDI
17.9
COL-adj wage
$43k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
FencingSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
16.2
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Pest ControlSURPLUS
TDI
14.2
COL-adj wage
$46k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
Cleaning & RestorationSURPLUS
TDI
13.6
COL-adj wage
$37k
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