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 Tennessee
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
General ContractingTIGHTENING
TDI
71.1
COL-adj wage
$120k
10-yr growth
+23%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
ElectricalSURPLUS
TDI
64.9
COL-adj wage
$66k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
Appliance RepairCRITICAL
TDI
64.2
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+51%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
FlooringTIGHTENING
TDI
63.7
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+21%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
Windows & DoorsSHORTAGE
TDI
59.9
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+18%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
Concrete & MasonryCRITICAL
TDI
57.8
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Pool & SpaSHORTAGE
TDI
56.3
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+19%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
PlumbingSURPLUS
TDI
55.4
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Garage DoorsBALANCED
TDI
53.7
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+20%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
HVACSURPLUS
TDI
53.5
COL-adj wage
$60k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
FencingCRITICAL
TDI
50.9
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
+31%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Fire ProtectionTIGHTENING
TDI
50.8
COL-adj wage
$62k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
PaintingSHORTAGE
TDI
50
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
+16%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
InsulationTIGHTENING
TDI
48.4
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
RoofingTIGHTENING
TDI
44.2
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
LandscapingBALANCED
TDI
41.2
COL-adj wage
$40k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Cleaning & RestorationBALANCED
TDI
37.9
COL-adj wage
$36k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
SolarSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
35.2
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Pest ControlSURPLUS
TDI
34
COL-adj wage
$43k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithSURPLUS
TDI
24.8
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
-3%
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