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 Mississippi
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
76.5
COL-adj wage
$70k
10-yr growth
+23%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
PlumbingCRITICAL
TDI
71.1
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+19%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
General ContractingBALANCED
TDI
67.1
COL-adj wage
$114k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
HVACSHORTAGE
TDI
65.4
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+20%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
InsulationCRITICAL
TDI
65
COL-adj wage
$72k
10-yr growth
+18%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
FlooringSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
57.1
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Garage DoorsSHORTAGE
TDI
57.1
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+27%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
PaintingSHORTAGE
TDI
54.6
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
RoofingSHORTAGE
TDI
54.5
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+21%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Concrete & MasonrySHORTAGE
TDI
53.7
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Windows & DoorsSHORTAGE
TDI
51.1
COL-adj wage
$42k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Fire ProtectionBALANCED
TDI
45.4
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
SolarSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
43.2
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Pool & SpaSURPLUS
TDI
39.3
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
FencingTIGHTENING
TDI
38.5
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
LandscapingBALANCED
TDI
37.1
COL-adj wage
$36k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Pest ControlBALANCED
TDI
34
COL-adj wage
$43k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Appliance RepairSURPLUS
TDI
28.4
COL-adj wage
$41k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Cleaning & RestorationSURPLUS
TDI
28.1
COL-adj wage
$33k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithBALANCED
TDI
21.5
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
-17%
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