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 Michigan
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
SolarBALANCED
TDI
53.6
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+25%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
ElectricalSURPLUS
TDI
50.5
COL-adj wage
$82k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
HVACSURPLUS
TDI
43.9
COL-adj wage
$65k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
PlumbingSURPLUS
TDI
43.1
COL-adj wage
$86k
10-yr growth
+1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
General ContractingSURPLUS
TDI
42
COL-adj wage
$111k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
Concrete & MasonrySURPLUS
TDI
37.3
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
-5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
FlooringSURPLUS
TDI
37.1
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Windows & DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
35.4
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Fire ProtectionSURPLUS
TDI
34.2
COL-adj wage
$104k
10-yr growth
-4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Garage DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
30.9
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
RoofingSURPLUS
TDI
29.8
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Pool & SpaSURPLUS
TDI
29.1
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Appliance RepairSURPLUS
TDI
28.8
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
-12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
PaintingSURPLUS
TDI
27.3
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
LocksmithSURPLUS
TDI
23
COL-adj wage
$58k
10-yr growth
-13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
InsulationSURPLUS
TDI
22
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
FencingSURPLUS
TDI
16.8
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
LandscapingSURPLUS
TDI
16.2
COL-adj wage
$41k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Cleaning & RestorationSURPLUS
TDI
14.3
COL-adj wage
$39k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
Pest ControlSURPLUS
TDI
14.2
COL-adj wage
$48k
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