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 Wisconsin
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
69.3
COL-adj wage
$83k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
General ContractingTIGHTENING
TDI
69.2
COL-adj wage
$124k
10-yr growth
+17%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
FlooringBALANCED
TDI
61.8
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+14%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
HVACBALANCED
TDI
61.7
COL-adj wage
$67k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
PlumbingBALANCED
TDI
61.6
COL-adj wage
$88k
10-yr growth
+10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
Windows & DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
53.1
COL-adj wage
$68k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Concrete & MasonrySURPLUS
TDI
52
COL-adj wage
$70k
10-yr growth
+5%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
FencingSHORTAGE
TDI
51.4
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Pool & SpaSURPLUS
TDI
51.4
COL-adj wage
$61k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
PaintingBALANCED
TDI
49.7
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Garage DoorsBALANCED
TDI
49.6
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+15%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
RoofingSURPLUS
TDI
46.7
COL-adj wage
$65k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
InsulationBALANCED
TDI
45.2
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
LandscapingBALANCED
TDI
40.5
COL-adj wage
$45k
10-yr growth
+11%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
SolarSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
40.2
COL-adj wage
$54k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
Fire ProtectionSURPLUS
TDI
37
COL-adj wage
$83k
10-yr growth
-2%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Pest ControlSURPLUS
TDI
34.7
COL-adj wage
$49k
10-yr growth
+9%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Appliance RepairSURPLUS
TDI
33.1
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
-7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
Cleaning & RestorationSURPLUS
TDI
30.6
COL-adj wage
$40k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
LocksmithSURPLUS
TDI
23.3
COL-adj wage
$53k
10-yr growth
-4%
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