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 Nebraska
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
SolarCRITICALLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
89.9
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
+100%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
FlooringCRITICALLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
89.5
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
+16%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
ElectricalCRITICAL
TDI
86.7
COL-adj wage
$68k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
HVACCRITICAL
TDI
81
COL-adj wage
$67k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
General ContractingCRITICAL
TDI
78.7
COL-adj wage
$112k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
Garage DoorsCRITICAL
TDI
77.8
COL-adj wage
$63k
10-yr growth
+22%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
PlumbingCRITICAL
TDI
75
COL-adj wage
$68k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
InsulationCRITICAL
TDI
70.6
COL-adj wage
$81k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Windows & DoorsCRITICAL
TDI
68.7
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Pool & SpaCRITICAL
TDI
64.8
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
PaintingCRITICAL
TDI
62.3
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Fire ProtectionCRITICAL
TDI
61.3
COL-adj wage
$98k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Concrete & MasonryCRITICAL
TDI
60
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Appliance RepairCRITICAL
TDI
59.4
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
RoofingCRITICAL
TDI
57.9
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
FencingCRITICAL
TDI
55.7
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
LandscapingCRITICAL
TDI
52.1
COL-adj wage
$43k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Cleaning & RestorationCRITICAL
TDI
45.8
COL-adj wage
$40k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
LocksmithCRITICAL
TDI
43.7
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
-7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
Pest ControlSHORTAGE
TDI
42.9
COL-adj wage
$43k
10-yr growth
+5%
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