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 Texas
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
ElectricalSHORTAGE
TDI
71.1
COL-adj wage
$60k
10-yr growth
+18%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
General ContractingSHORTAGE
TDI
69.8
COL-adj wage
$104k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
HVACSHORTAGE
TDI
66.1
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
PlumbingSHORTAGE
TDI
64.9
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
Fire ProtectionCRITICAL
TDI
58.3
COL-adj wage
$59k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
SolarBALANCED
TDI
57.5
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
+21%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Pool & SpaSHORTAGE
TDI
56.4
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
Windows & DoorsTIGHTENING
TDI
53.3
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
FlooringBALANCED
TDI
52.3
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
Garage DoorsTIGHTENING
TDI
49.8
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
LandscapingSHORTAGE
TDI
48.8
COL-adj wage
$37k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Appliance RepairTIGHTENING
TDI
46.5
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+8%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
Cleaning & RestorationCRITICAL
TDI
45.7
COL-adj wage
$34k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
Pest ControlSHORTAGE
TDI
45.2
COL-adj wage
$38k
10-yr growth
+19%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
PaintingBALANCED
TDI
43.5
COL-adj wage
$46k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
RoofingTIGHTENING
TDI
41.8
COL-adj wage
$47k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Concrete & MasonryBALANCED
TDI
41.2
COL-adj wage
$48k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
FencingTIGHTENING
TDI
36.5
COL-adj wage
$38k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
InsulationSURPLUS
TDI
35.8
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithSHORTAGE
TDI
30.9
COL-adj wage
$45k
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