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 Ohio
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
SolarTIGHTENING
TDI
72.6
COL-adj wage
$69k
10-yr growth
+16%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
FlooringBALANCED
TDI
63.3
COL-adj wage
$65k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
ElectricalSURPLUS
TDI
62.1
COL-adj wage
$71k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
HVACBALANCED
TDI
59.4
COL-adj wage
$69k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
Garage DoorsTIGHTENING
TDI
58.4
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
General ContractingSURPLUS
TDI
57.6
COL-adj wage
$112k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
PlumbingSURPLUS
TDI
55.2
COL-adj wage
$70k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Windows & DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
53.5
COL-adj wage
$66k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Concrete & MasonryBALANCED
TDI
51.9
COL-adj wage
$69k
10-yr growth
-4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Pool & SpaSURPLUS
TDI
47.5
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Fire ProtectionBALANCED
TDI
46.7
COL-adj wage
$85k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
InsulationSURPLUS
TDI
45.1
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
PaintingSURPLUS
TDI
43.5
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Appliance RepairTIGHTENING
TDI
41.8
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
RoofingSURPLUS
TDI
38
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
FencingSURPLUS
TDI
33
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
LandscapingSURPLUS
TDI
33
COL-adj wage
$42k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
LocksmithTIGHTENING
TDI
31.2
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
-13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Cleaning & RestorationBALANCED
TDI
28.8
COL-adj wage
$39k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
Pest ControlSURPLUS
TDI
27.8
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