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 Maine
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
SolarSHORTAGE
TDI
71.8
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
ElectricalBALANCED
TDI
66
COL-adj wage
$75k
10-yr growth
+1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
General ContractingBALANCED
TDI
59.9
COL-adj wage
$109k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
PlumbingTIGHTENING
TDI
57.9
COL-adj wage
$63k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
HVACBALANCED
TDI
56
COL-adj wage
$63k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
FlooringBALANCED
TDI
54
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Concrete & MasonrySHORTAGE
TDI
53.8
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
-7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Fire ProtectionSHORTAGE
TDI
51.4
COL-adj wage
$66k
10-yr growth
-8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
PaintingTIGHTENING
TDI
51.3
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Windows & DoorsTIGHTENING
TDI
48
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Garage DoorsBALANCED
TDI
47.6
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Pool & SpaTIGHTENING
TDI
45.2
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Appliance RepairSHORTAGE
TDI
43.7
COL-adj wage
$46k
10-yr growth
-5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
LandscapingTIGHTENING
TDI
41.3
COL-adj wage
$46k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
LocksmithCRITICAL
TDI
40.5
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
-10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
RoofingTIGHTENING
TDI
39.3
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Pest ControlTIGHTENING
TDI
37.7
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
InsulationTIGHTENING
TDI
37.2
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
-7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Cleaning & RestorationTIGHTENING
TDI
36.5
COL-adj wage
$39k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
FencingTIGHTENING
TDI
34.8
COL-adj wage
$45k
10-yr growth
-6%
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