AI boom driving data center job surge with higher wages

The expansion of data center infrastructure to support artificial intelligence is creating thousands of new jobs in the United States. Data center job postings have more than doubled in the past two years, now representing six out of every 1,000 US job openings, compared to three in 1,000 in 2023. The positions include installation, maintenance workers, electricians, and engineers, with data center maintenance roles earning approximately $10 per hour more than equivalent positions in other industries. The hiring is spreading geographically beyond traditional tech hubs, with significant recruitment in cities like Columbus, Jackson, and Reno, as major technology companies establish new facilities to support AI infrastructure.