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 Missouri
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
ElectricalTIGHTENING
TDI
70.5
COL-adj wage
$72k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
FlooringSHORTAGE
TDI
68.9
COL-adj wage
$60k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
General ContractingSHORTAGE
TDI
68.2
COL-adj wage
$123k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
SolarTIGHTENINGLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
64.5
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
HVACTIGHTENING
TDI
63
COL-adj wage
$66k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
PlumbingBALANCED
TDI
61.3
COL-adj wage
$73k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Fire ProtectionSHORTAGE
TDI
59.9
COL-adj wage
$85k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Garage DoorsSHORTAGE
TDI
56.4
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Pool & SpaTIGHTENING
TDI
54.6
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Concrete & MasonryTIGHTENING
TDI
54.3
COL-adj wage
$67k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
PaintingTIGHTENING
TDI
53.8
COL-adj wage
$63k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Windows & DoorsBALANCED
TDI
51.2
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
InsulationTIGHTENING
TDI
47.8
COL-adj wage
$62k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Appliance RepairTIGHTENING
TDI
42.7
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
-4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
RoofingBALANCED
TDI
42.5
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
LandscapingBALANCED
TDI
40.1
COL-adj wage
$42k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Pest ControlBALANCED
TDI
37.4
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
LocksmithSHORTAGE
TDI
37.3
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
-5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Cleaning & RestorationTIGHTENING
TDI
36.5
COL-adj wage
$39k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
FencingBALANCED
TDI
34.8
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