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 Minnesota
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
$80k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
FlooringSHORTAGE
TDI
70.3
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
HVACSHORTAGE
TDI
68.4
COL-adj wage
$78k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
PlumbingSHORTAGE
TDI
67.3
COL-adj wage
$96k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
SolarSHORTAGELOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
67.2
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
General ContractingBALANCED
TDI
65.4
COL-adj wage
$126k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Windows & DoorsSHORTAGE
TDI
63.9
COL-adj wage
$67k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Concrete & MasonrySHORTAGE
TDI
60
COL-adj wage
$68k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Garage DoorsSHORTAGE
TDI
58.6
COL-adj wage
$60k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Fire ProtectionSHORTAGE
TDI
57.1
COL-adj wage
$78k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Pool & SpaTIGHTENING
TDI
54.8
COL-adj wage
$60k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
RoofingTIGHTENING
TDI
54.8
COL-adj wage
$76k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Appliance RepairSHORTAGE
TDI
54.7
COL-adj wage
$63k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
InsulationSHORTAGE
TDI
52.9
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
PaintingTIGHTENING
TDI
52.7
COL-adj wage
$58k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
FencingSHORTAGE
TDI
47.3
COL-adj wage
$58k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
LandscapingTIGHTENING
TDI
45.8
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
LocksmithSHORTAGE
TDI
40.7
COL-adj wage
$60k
10-yr growth
-8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Pest ControlCRITICALLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
38.4
COL-adj wage
$42k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
Cleaning & RestorationTIGHTENING
TDI
38
COL-adj wage
$40k
10-yr growth
+4%
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