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 Kansas
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
ElectricalSHORTAGE
TDI
76.1
COL-adj wage
$73k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
General ContractingSHORTAGE
TDI
69.9
COL-adj wage
$134k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
HVACSHORTAGE
TDI
68.7
COL-adj wage
$67k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
SolarCRITICALLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
66.5
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
PlumbingTIGHTENING
TDI
64.5
COL-adj wage
$72k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
FlooringBALANCED
TDI
54.2
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
InsulationSHORTAGE
TDI
54.2
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Concrete & MasonryTIGHTENING
TDI
53.6
COL-adj wage
$58k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Pool & SpaSHORTAGE
TDI
53.3
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Windows & DoorsTIGHTENING
TDI
52.4
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Fire ProtectionTIGHTENING
TDI
51.1
COL-adj wage
$86k
10-yr growth
-7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Garage DoorsTIGHTENING
TDI
50.7
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
PaintingSHORTAGE
TDI
48.8
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
RoofingSHORTAGE
TDI
46.8
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
LandscapingTIGHTENING
TDI
44.2
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
LocksmithSHORTAGE
TDI
42.3
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
-9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
FencingTIGHTENING
TDI
39.6
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Appliance RepairTIGHTENING
TDI
37.7
COL-adj wage
$43k
10-yr growth
-12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Cleaning & RestorationTIGHTENING
TDI
36.7
COL-adj wage
$38k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
Pest ControlTIGHTENING
TDI
35.5
COL-adj wage
$43k
10-yr growth
+3%
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