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 York
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
ElectricalTIGHTENING
TDI
70.5
COL-adj wage
$73k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
HVACSHORTAGE
TDI
69.6
COL-adj wage
$69k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
Pool & SpaCRITICAL
TDI
69.3
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
LocksmithCRITICAL
TDI
67.5
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
PlumbingSHORTAGE
TDI
66.6
COL-adj wage
$72k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
General ContractingTIGHTENING
TDI
64.8
COL-adj wage
$144k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Concrete & MasonryCRITICAL
TDI
63.8
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Windows & DoorsSHORTAGE
TDI
60.3
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Cleaning & RestorationCRITICAL
TDI
59.6
COL-adj wage
$39k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Fire ProtectionCRITICAL
TDI
59.5
COL-adj wage
$94k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
FlooringBALANCED
TDI
58.6
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
LandscapingCRITICAL
TDI
58.3
COL-adj wage
$42k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
SolarTIGHTENING
TDI
57.4
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Appliance RepairSHORTAGE
TDI
55.7
COL-adj wage
$60k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
PaintingSHORTAGE
TDI
53.8
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
InsulationSHORTAGE
TDI
52.7
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
RoofingSHORTAGE
TDI
51.9
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Pest ControlCRITICALLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
47.4
COL-adj wage
$45k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Garage DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
45.4
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
FencingSHORTAGE
TDI
37.7
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+1%
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