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 West Virginia
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 ContractingSURPLUS
TDI
59.3
COL-adj wage
$108k
10-yr growth
+13%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
2
PlumbingSURPLUS
TDI
41.9
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
3
ElectricalSURPLUS
TDI
41
COL-adj wage
$73k
10-yr growth
+0%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
4
Windows & DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
40.8
COL-adj wage
$56k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
5
HVACSURPLUS
TDI
38.5
COL-adj wage
$55k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
6
FlooringSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
37.8
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
7
Pest ControlBALANCED
TDI
36.4
COL-adj wage
$42k
10-yr growth
+16%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
8
LandscapingSURPLUS
TDI
34.5
COL-adj wage
$36k
10-yr growth
+12%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
9
Concrete & MasonrySURPLUS
TDI
34.3
COL-adj wage
$58k
10-yr growth
-1%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
10
RoofingSURPLUS
TDI
33
COL-adj wage
$57k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
11
Fire ProtectionSURPLUS
TDI
30.8
COL-adj wage
$89k
10-yr growth
-10%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
12
Garage DoorsSURPLUS
TDI
29
COL-adj wage
$52k
10-yr growth
+7%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
13
PaintingSURPLUS
TDI
28
COL-adj wage
$50k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
14
FencingSURPLUS
TDI
27.1
COL-adj wage
$51k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
15
SolarSURPLUSLOW CONFIDENCE
TDI
25.8
COL-adj wage
—
10-yr growth
—
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
16
LocksmithSURPLUS
TDI
25.6
COL-adj wage
$64k
10-yr growth
-4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
17
Pool & SpaSURPLUS
TDI
25.6
COL-adj wage
$44k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
18
Cleaning & RestorationSURPLUS
TDI
22.7
COL-adj wage
$35k
10-yr growth
+6%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
19
InsulationSURPLUS
TDI
19
COL-adj wage
$40k
10-yr growth
+4%
Projection scorecard
Market
Wage
Growth
Security
20
Appliance RepairSURPLUS
TDI
17.6
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