Data centers often conjure up images of large, concrete warehouses filled with racks of servers, fiber-optic cables and heavy-duty cooling systems — and not a lot of employees around. And to some degree, that’s true. After all, an average-sized facility using 2 to 5 megawatts of power might employ 30 permanent workers, which is pretty sparse for a building the size of a big-box store.
But most of the data centers being built right now are hyperscalers, which already accounted for more than 40 percent of global capacity in 2024 and could reach 60 percent by 2030, according to a report by Synergy Research Group. Built at unprecedented size and scale, these facilities are expected to create a significant number of local jobs.
What Jobs Do Data Centers Offer?
Data centers offer a range of jobs, from hands-on technical positions to management roles. Data center technicians install servers, monitor network performance and troubleshoot issues. Critical facilities engineers focus on the mechanical and electrical systems that power and cool the facility, maintaining equipment like chillers, generators and backup batteries. At the top, operations managers oversee daily operations, manage staff, coordinate vendors and ensure compliance with safety and security standards. Many of these positions rely on certifications, apprenticeships and other technical programs rather than traditional four-year degrees.
Microsoft hired more than 3,000 workers to build its two new Wisconsin data centers, for example, which are projected to support roughly 800 permanent jobs. Google’s 500-acre, 500-megawatt campus in Kansas City, meanwhile, is expected to create 1,000 construction jobs and 200 permanent, full-time jobs. The first Stargate data center in Abilene, Texas required a whopping 6,400 workers to build the 1-gigawatt facility, and its permanent workforce estimates range anywhere from 100 to 1,000 positions. Another 1-gigawatt Stargate site in Wisconsin is set to provide 4,000 construction jobs and 1,000 long-term roles. Meta has even launched a multi-million-dollar ad campaign explicitly touting its data centers’ employment prospects.
While 100 or 200 permanent jobs might seem paltry for buildings that span nearly 400 football fields and use more electricity than the city of San Francisco, those are still relatively well-paying gigs for rural communities that may otherwise lack economic opportunity.
“There are more data centers in the United States than there are Chipotles or Chick-fil-As,” future of work economist Richard D. Johnson told Built In. “So when you think about the small number of jobs, we also want to take into consideration the large number of data centers across the United States.”
For the towns competing to host these massive, energy-intensive data centers, jobs are often the main selling point. But once the construction crews leave and the servers are switched on, what remains is a much smaller, more specialized workforce. But what exactly do these jobs entail? What do they pay? And what does it take to qualify for one? Let’s dive in.
What Jobs Do Data Centers Offer?
Data centers rely on a variety of operations roles to maintain their power, cooling and control systems. They also require professionals who can monitor server performance, swap out equipment and manage the day-to-day operations of the data center. The good news is that many of these jobs are accessible without college degrees in IT, networking or cybersecurity.
“While software and IT roles exist, many of the most in-demand jobs are rooted in skilled trades and engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, HVAC, controls, commissioning and facilities operations,” Bill Kleyman, executive chair of data center programs for Data Center World, told Built In. “Many professionals enter the industry through certifications, apprenticeships, military experience or technical programs rather than four-year degrees.”
Let’s break down some of the most common data center roles. Keep in mind that job titles and the scope of responsibilities may vary depending on the size of the data center.
Data Center Technician
Data center technicians are the backbone of data center operations. They install servers, routers and switches, oversee hardware or software upgrades and ensure everything is cabled and powered correctly. They also assess server performance, document key metrics, troubleshoot connectivity issues and keep the facility clean while watching for anything unusual. In a colocation data center, data center technicians will interact with clients to assist with their technical needs, too. Technicians work in shifts to meet the 24/7 needs, so some workers may work overnight, on weekends or on holidays.
Salary: $60,000 to $90,000 per year, according to Glassdoor.
Qualification Requirements: Data center technician jobs typically require a high school diploma. While employers will be impressed by a certification or previous experience in tech support, many employers like Equinix offer on-the-job training, apprenticeships and development programs.
Critical Facilities Engineers
Critical facilities engineers are more focused on the mechanical and electrical work needed to maintain power, cooling and security systems. They monitor building management software, and they repair or perform preventative maintenance on electrical equipment, like switchgear, backup batteries and generators, as well as mechanical systems, such as chillers and other cooling systems.
Salary: $93,000 to $155,000 per year, according to Glassdoor.
Qualification Requirements: These jobs typically require at least three years of experience in HVAC, electrical and critical facilities maintenance. A critical facilities engineer will typically have an associate or bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering, or they will have entered the trades through an apprenticeship program.
Data Center Operations Manager
True to its name, data center operations managers oversee the day-to-day operations of the data center. It’s a leadership role that includes managing data center employees, contracting with vendors, budgeting expenses and assuring the data center is compliant with safety and security protocols. Depending on the size of the facility, the operations manager may handle many of the same duties as a facilities manager, which oversees the physical infrastructure of the building.
Salary: $117,000 to $198,000 per year, according to Glassdoor
Qualification Requirements: A data center operations manager should have a mix of engineering and facilities management experience, as they serve as the point person for issues escalated by technicians and engineers.
Data Center Job Certifications
Those who want to break into the data center industry can often find on-the-job training opportunities, but they can get a leg up by attaining a certification that demonstrates their familiarity with data center concepts. Once they’ve established themselves in the field, higher-level certifications can help professionals move to more specialized roles in networking, management and data center design.
CompTIA’s A+ certification is a common entry-level option that demonstrates proficiency in basic IT skills and infrastructure, like hardware, networking and troubleshooting techniques. Once you’ve attained your A+ certification, you can go on to earn CompTIA’s Network+ certification, which teaches networking concepts, and the Server+ certification, which provides a foundation in server technology and data center operations.
Another common entry-level certification is Schneider Electric’s Data Center Certified Associate (DCCA) certification. This program focuses on the physical infrastructure of a data center, explaining the fundamentals of servers and power and cooling systems. It’s also a free program, so it’s a popular entry point for those new to the industry.
Data center technicians with one or two years of experience might want to level up their career with the Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP) certificate. This program offers a more in-depth understanding of data center design, operations and management, and it teaches best practices for managing power and cooling systems, security measures, cabling structures, safety protocols and efficiency enhancements.
How Many Data Center Jobs Actually Last?
Companies like Microsoft and Amazon tend to tout the thousands of jobs they will create in the communities that house their data centers, often without clarifying that the vast majority of those opportunities are temporary construction gigs. These build-outs do create high-paying work — sometimes reaching six figures — for construction crews, electricians, HVAC professionals and specialized roles like design architects and commissioning engineers. But most of these positions end once the facility is built. And due to a nationwide shortage of skilled tradespeople, many are filled by people from outside the community.
“As data centers continue to pop up across the country, there’s going to be a whack-a-mole style spike in job growth, rather than heightened and sustained employment growth,” Johnson said. “There’s going to be a persistent labor shortage, which means workers might come from across town and state lines to fill the gap.”
The promise of new jobs has also pushed local governments to offer tax incentives to attract big data center projects, even though several economists have concluded that the number of jobs created by data centers do not justify those subsidies. When calculating the tax breaks these projects received, Business Insider found local governments were subsidizing each permanent full-time job to the tune of more than $2 million.
“The short-term benefit doesn’t exceed the costs,” Johnson said, pointing in particular to the strain data centers place on local energy infrastructure. He suggested local governments consider utility tax surcharges and other tools as a means of protecting themselves against excessive energy costs.
Data Centers Growth Is Outpacing the Talent Pipeline
The International Energy Agency estimates $580 billion was spent on data centers last year. Most of that — a projected $320 billion — came from just four companies: Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta. In the next five years, McKinsey expects data center capacity to triple, requiring nearly $7 trillion in additional investment. In short, data center jobs are growing fast, whereas many white-collar and service sector jobs are under threat of automation.
“The long‑term outlook is exceptionally strong — driven by explosive global demand for cloud, AI, digital infrastructure and power‑intensive compute,” Liz MacKay, vice president of integrated talent solutions at Equinix, told Built In. “Every credible forecast points to rapid growth, severe talent shortages and decades of sustained hiring across all technical job families.”
Indeed, this growth is limited by a lack of skilled talent that data centers rely on. An average of 81,000 electrician jobs are expected to open up every year for the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and McKinsey estimates data centers could create the need for an additional 130,000 electricians. To address this, Google has provided funding to the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) to upskill 100,000 electrical workers and train 30,000 new apprentices — an initiative the company says could boost the electrical workforce pipeline by 70 percent within the next five years.
But electricians are only one piece of the skilled labor shortage. “The biggest constraint right now is skilled labor across the full lifecycle: electricians, controls technicians, HVAC/mechanical trades, commissioning, and critical-environment operations,” Kleyman told Built In.
The tech industry is working to upskill people in those fields as well. When Microsoft builds a new data center, it typically partners with local community colleges to offer data center training through its Datacenter Academy. Amazon offers 12 months of paid, on-the-job training for a variety of technical roles through its Technical Apprenticeship program. And Google partners with local nonprofits and community colleges to provide training for data center roles, and it trains underrepresented communities for entry-level careers in construction and the skilled trades through its STAR Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people does a data center employ?
An average retail data center using 2 to 5 megawatts employs about 30 permanent workers. Hyperscale facilities create more jobs, ranging from 100 to 1,000 permanent positions depending on size. Construction phases temporarily employ 1,000 to 6,400 workers.
Do you need a college degree to work in a data center?
No, many data center jobs don't require four-year degrees. Many data center technician roles typically offer on-the-job training, while other workers enter the profession through certifications, apprenticeships or technical programs.
What certifications can help you get a data center job?
CompTIA's A+ certification is a common entry-level option that covers basic IT skills. Schneider Electric's Data Center Certified Associate (DCCA) is another entry-level certification that’s free. More experienced technicians can pursue the Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP) certificate for career advancement.
How much do data center jobs pay?
Data center technicians earn $60,000 to $90,000 annually. Critical facilities engineers make $93,000 to $155,000 per year. Data center operations managers earn $117,000 to $198,000 annually.
