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 Pennsylvania
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
ElectricalBALANCED
TDI
67.1
COL-adj wage
$70k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
FlooringTIGHTENING
TDI
65.2
COL-adj wage
$63k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
General ContractingBALANCED
TDI
60.5
COL-adj wage
$113k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
HVACBALANCED
TDI
59.3
COL-adj wage
$65k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
PlumbingBALANCED
TDI
58.2
COL-adj wage
$71k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
Garage DoorsTIGHTENING
TDI
56.1
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Windows & DoorsBALANCED
TDI
55.5
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Fire ProtectionTIGHTENING
TDI
53.4
COL-adj wage
$81k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Concrete & MasonryBALANCED
TDI
52.1
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
SolarTIGHTENINGLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
51.2
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
PaintingBALANCED
TDI
46
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Pool & SpaBALANCED
TDI
45.9
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
RoofingBALANCED
TDI
43.3
COL-adj wage
$58k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Appliance RepairTIGHTENING
TDI
43
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
FencingBALANCED
TDI
39.8
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
InsulationSURPLUS
TDI
37
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
LandscapingBALANCED
TDI
35.2
COL-adj wage
$41k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
LocksmithTIGHTENING
TDI
34
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
-13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Pest ControlSURPLUS
TDI
33.5
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
Cleaning & RestorationBALANCED
TDI
32
COL-adj wage
$38k
10-yr growth
+2%
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