Ten thousand. That's how many electricians are needed to take jobs that offer up to a six-figure salary and full benefits. And, there is an annual shortfall in the electrician workforce of at least 3,000.
With the global data center construction market booming, driven by AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure demands, more than $200 billion is expected to be spent on data center development globally, with the U.S. as a major hub, particularly in states like Virginia, Texas, and New York.
And for that global investment, they need electricians.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 6 percent annual growth in electrician jobs from 2022 to 2032, twice the average for all occupations, with about 73,500 openings yearly across all sectors. Data center construction is a significant driver of this demand, alongside renewable energy and manufacturing.
One of the problems with gathering that much talent is training. Data center work requires expertise in high-voltage systems, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDUs), and cooling systems. General residential electricians may need additional training. Seek certifications like NFPA 70E or data center-specific training from employers or trade schools.
Salaries for data center electricians average $61,391, $93,341/year ($29.51, $45/hour), with top earners reaching $122,921, $156,466 in high-demand areas or with advanced skills.
Highly trained electricians will be needed on a traveling basis to staff projects as they occur. Projects will move quickly and these electricians are expected to rack up many hours, boosting pay, and allowing space for longer time-off spans.