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 New Hampshire
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
70.5
COL-adj wage
$58k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
General ContractingTIGHTENING
TDI
68.7
COL-adj wage
$120k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
PlumbingTIGHTENING
TDI
62.7
COL-adj wage
$62k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
Garage DoorsSHORTAGE
TDI
60.9
COL-adj wage
$58k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
HVACSURPLUS
TDI
59.2
COL-adj wage
$68k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
SolarBALANCEDLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
53.8
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Windows & DoorsBALANCED
TDI
51.5
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Pool & SpaTIGHTENING
TDI
50
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
RoofingSHORTAGE
TDI
49.5
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Concrete & MasonryTIGHTENING
TDI
45.1
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
LandscapingTIGHTENING
TDI
44.9
COL-adj wage
$42k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
PaintingTIGHTENING
TDI
43.5
COL-adj wage
$46k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
FlooringSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
42.3
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
InsulationTIGHTENING
TDI
42.3
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
Fire ProtectionBALANCED
TDI
39.4
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
Pest ControlTIGHTENING
TDI
39.3
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Appliance RepairBALANCED
TDI
37.4
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Cleaning & RestorationBALANCED
TDI
33
COL-adj wage
$36k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
LocksmithBALANCED
TDI
28.8
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
-17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
FencingSURPLUS
TDI
27.5
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
+0%
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