Electricians are crucial in our everyday lives, handling everything from wiring new homes to maintaining electrical systems in businesses. While there’s demand for electricians everywhere, some states may need them more than others.
Vermont is at the top of the list, where combined search demand and service requests result in the highest total demand per one employed electrician. That’s a clear sign that there’s more work than electricians can handle, presenting a big opportunity for those looking to join or expand in this trade. South Carolina comes in next, with a combined demand of 9.99, followed closely by Delaware, New Jersey and Maine.
These numbers show a lot of room for electricians to step in and meet the growing demand, particularly in Vermont and South Carolina. For young people considering their career options, heading to a trade school in these states could be a smart move, especially given the strong job prospects in the field.
In terms of AHS Service Requests, Nevada saw the highest service requests to electrician ratio with 1.33 service requests per electrician; Vermont and Maine both had the lowest service request to worker ratio at .02 job requests per electrician.
On the flip side, California, despite having the most electricians employed (over 72,000), has a relatively low search-to-job ratio. Utah ranks lowest, with a combined demand of just 3.15 searches per electrical job, indicating a lower demand. States like North Dakota (3.98), Nebraska (4.29) and Wyoming (4.49), and New York (4.53) also have lower ratios, suggesting that the current workforce is keeping up with demand in those areas.
Plumber Demand
We all know how essential plumbers are—whether it’s for fixing leaks, installing new systems, or dealing with a drain issue. But the demand for plumbers isn’t the same across the board. Some states are in desperate need of more professionals to handle the workload.
Georgia stands out with its combined search and service request demand of 56.93 searches and job requests per plumber, followed by South Carolina (53.81), West Virginia (53.77), Delaware (47.42), and Ohio (41.46). Clearly, aspiring plumbers should head south, where there’s higher demand per plumber, reflecting a greater need for these necessary professionals.
Texas also stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of AHS service requests, with well over 217,000 in a year, but Georgia comes out on top for the highest service demand per plumber, with 9.37 service requests per worker.
States like New Mexico (2.35), Massachusetts (15.25), and Hawaii (18.07) show much lower demand-per-job ratios, indicating that the market is more balanced in those areas. In these states, plumbers might face stiffer competition, as the workforce seems to meet consumer demand more effectively.
HVAC Technician Demand
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians are especially important in places with extreme weather. The demand for HVAC services can skyrocket when temperatures hit the extremes, and some states are feeling the strain more than others.
Hawaii leads the pack with a demand-to-job ratio of 38.04, which makes sense given the warm climate where reliable air conditioning is a necessity year-round. Wyoming (35.62) and Texas (31.26) also show strong demand, with demand per technician ratios in the mid to upper 30s, meaning these states may not have enough HVAC techs to meet consumer needs.
Looking at AHS service requests, Nevada has the highest request-to-worker ratio at 9.24 requests per HVAC technician; Vermont HVAC techs have more time on their hands, with only .06 requests per worker.
In contrast, states like New York (12.56) and Pennsylvania (14.24) have much lower ratios, indicating a more competitive HVAC job market. For HVAC pros, it might be worth considering a move to a state like Hawaii, where the demand for services is significantly higher and where you’re less likely to face competition from other professionals.
Roofer Demand
Roofers are in especially high demand in states with harsher weather conditions, and this is reflected in the demand-to-job ratios across the U.S. Delaware stands out the most, with a ratio of 159.50, indicating a huge need for roofers that far exceeds the available workforce.
Other states like Alabama (118.14), New Hampshire (113.75), Georgia (100.91), and Mississippi (96.79) also show high demand. Local weather patterns are likely contributing factors, as these states are prone to storms and other harsh conditions that make regular roof repairs or replacements a necessity for many homeowners.
Among service requests, Delaware boasts the highest ratio of service requests to roofer at .89 service requests per roofer, followed by Georgia (.82) and Alabama (.78).
However, states like Nevada (20.30), Florida (20.51), and California (22.69) show much lower ratios, meaning the market for roofers may be more balanced or even oversaturated. For roofers looking to maximize their business opportunities, moving to states like Delaware or Alabama, where demand is high, could be a smart move.
We should note we didn’t have available roofer employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Rhode Island, so we were unable to include it in this particular trade ranking.
Conclusion
It’s clear that skilled trades like electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and roofers are in high demand across the U.S., but the level of demand varies significantly by state. For those thinking about joining the workforce or relocating, states like Vermont, South Carolina, Hawaii, and Delaware present the biggest opportunities, with demand far outpacing the available professionals.
If you’re in one of these trades—or thinking about entering one—knowing where demand is highest can help guide your career path. And for consumers looking for trusted professionals to help with home repairs, a service like American Home Shield can connect you with qualified tradespeople when you need them most.
Whether you’re a tradesperson or a homeowner, understanding the demand for these essential services can help you stay one step ahead. The future looks bright for skilled trades, with plenty of room for growth and opportunity in the years to come.
Methodology
In October 2024, we analyzed state-by-state occupational employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics relating to electricians, plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters, HVAC mechanics and installers, and roofers. Estimated employment numbers from the BLS do not include self-employed workers, and employment numbers are from May 2023, the most recently available dataset.
In October 2024, we also analyzed thousands of Google search terms relating to the four trade industries from January 2023 through August 2024. 1,819 terms relating to electricians, 2,680 terms relating to plumbers, 3,670 terms relating to HVAC, and 2,131 terms relating to roofers were analyzed for all 50 states.
We also utilized 2023 American Home Shield Service Requests by state to look at service request demand as reflected by AHS’s coast-to-coast service offerings. *Please note that we do not currently offer services in Alaska, New York City, or Hawaii
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