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 South Carolina
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
SolarSHORTAGE
TDI
70.2
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+133%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
ElectricalTIGHTENING
TDI
68.2
COL-adj wage
$62k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
FlooringSHORTAGE
TDI
67.4
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
General ContractingBALANCED
TDI
63.1
COL-adj wage
$115k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
HVACTIGHTENING
TDI
59.4
COL-adj wage
$60k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
Pool & SpaSHORTAGE
TDI
58.4
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
PlumbingBALANCED
TDI
54.3
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Pest ControlSHORTAGE
TDI
51.9
COL-adj wage
$46k
10-yr growth
+16%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Fire ProtectionCRITICAL
TDI
51.8
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Garage DoorsBALANCED
TDI
49.5
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
LandscapingSHORTAGE
TDI
48.8
COL-adj wage
$39k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Windows & DoorsBALANCED
TDI
47.4
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Appliance RepairSHORTAGE
TDI
47.1
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Cleaning & RestorationSHORTAGE
TDI
44.1
COL-adj wage
$33k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
Concrete & MasonryBALANCED
TDI
43.7
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
InsulationSURPLUS
TDI
36.6
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
PaintingBALANCED
TDI
36.6
COL-adj wage
$43k
10-yr growth
+3%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
RoofingSURPLUS
TDI
32.6
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
+2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
LocksmithTIGHTENING
TDI
28.5
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
-9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
FencingSURPLUS
TDI
23.3
COL-adj wage
$40k
10-yr growth
-5%
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