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 Jersey
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
SolarBALANCED
TDI
62
COL-adj wage
$72k
10-yr growth
+27%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
ElectricalSURPLUS
TDI
55.7
COL-adj wage
$71k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
General ContractingSURPLUS
TDI
48.1
COL-adj wage
$127k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
HVACSURPLUS
TDI
45.4
COL-adj wage
$68k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
PlumbingSURPLUS
TDI
44.4
COL-adj wage
$72k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
Fire ProtectionSURPLUS
TDI
44
COL-adj wage
$89k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Windows & DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
41.7
COL-adj wage
$65k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Garage DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
41.5
COL-adj wage
$62k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
FlooringSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
40.7
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
RoofingSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
35.5
COL-adj wage
$70k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Concrete & MasonrySURPLUS
TDI
31.1
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
PaintingSURPLUS
TDI
30.5
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Appliance RepairSURPLUS
TDI
27.2
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Pool & SpaSURPLUS
TDI
26.5
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
InsulationSURPLUS
TDI
23.2
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
LandscapingSURPLUS
TDI
22.2
COL-adj wage
$38k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
FencingSURPLUS
TDI
20
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Pest ControlSURPLUS
TDI
19.9
COL-adj wage
$45k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Cleaning & RestorationSURPLUS
TDI
15.7
COL-adj wage
$35k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithSURPLUS
TDI
15
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
-13%
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