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 Mexico
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
ElectricalCRITICAL
TDI
77
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
General ContractingCRITICAL
TDI
73.7
COL-adj wage
$115k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
FlooringSHORTAGE
TDI
72
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+19%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
PlumbingSHORTAGE
TDI
70.4
COL-adj wage
$68k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
SolarSHORTAGE
TDI
68.8
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+48%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
HVACCRITICAL
TDI
67.5
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+16%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Garage DoorsSHORTAGELOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
65.6
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
+25%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Pool & SpaSHORTAGE
TDI
61
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Windows & DoorsSHORTAGE
TDI
58.7
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
PaintingSHORTAGE
TDI
54.5
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
LandscapingCRITICAL
TDI
53.6
COL-adj wage
$41k
10-yr growth
+16%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
RoofingSHORTAGE
TDI
51.5
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Concrete & MasonryTIGHTENING
TDI
50.5
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
InsulationSHORTAGE
TDI
49.5
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
Fire ProtectionBALANCED
TDI
46.3
COL-adj wage
$74k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
FencingSHORTAGE
TDI
44.1
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Cleaning & RestorationSHORTAGE
TDI
44
COL-adj wage
$40k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Pest ControlTIGHTENING
TDI
36.5
COL-adj wage
$41k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Appliance RepairBALANCED
TDI
33.4
COL-adj wage
$41k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithTIGHTENING
TDI
25.7
COL-adj wage
$46k
10-yr growth
-7%
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