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 Oregon
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
ElectricalSURPLUS
TDI
67.7
COL-adj wage
$95k
10-yr growth
+20%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
PlumbingSURPLUS
TDI
62.2
COL-adj wage
$91k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
General ContractingSURPLUS
TDI
61.3
COL-adj wage
$123k
10-yr growth
+16%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
Windows & DoorsBALANCED
TDI
59.6
COL-adj wage
$66k
10-yr growth
+16%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
SolarSURPLUS
TDI
58.7
COL-adj wage
$62k
10-yr growth
+34%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
HVACSURPLUS
TDI
57
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
+19%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
FlooringBALANCED
TDI
56.7
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+22%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Fire ProtectionBALANCED
TDI
52.3
COL-adj wage
$91k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
InsulationBALANCED
TDI
49.4
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+19%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Concrete & MasonrySURPLUS
TDI
45.1
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
PaintingBALANCED
TDI
44.5
COL-adj wage
$46k
10-yr growth
+18%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
RoofingSURPLUS
TDI
42.9
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Pool & SpaSURPLUS
TDI
42.3
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Garage DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
40.7
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
+23%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
LandscapingSURPLUS
TDI
38.2
COL-adj wage
$42k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
Appliance RepairSURPLUS
TDI
33.2
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
FencingBALANCED
TDI
30.6
COL-adj wage
$42k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Cleaning & RestorationSURPLUS
TDI
30.1
COL-adj wage
$37k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
LocksmithBALANCED
TDI
23.8
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
Pest ControlSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
8.1
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
—
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