The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is creating a major construction boom across the United States, driving high demand for skilled tradespeople to build data centers and power systems, according to a report by Merlo America and BiltData.ai.
Total U.S. construction spending is projected to climb from $2.22 trillion in 2026 to $2.85 trillion by 2031, with industrial construction—including factories and data centers—reaching $684 billion by the end of that period, according to the Merlo America report. This industrial buildout accounts for 24% of total U.S. construction spending, fueled heavily by the physical infrastructure required to support AI, cloud computing, and 5G networks.
Skilled Trades Face Surge in Hiring for AI Facilities
According to Cole Renken, general manager of Merlo America—the U.S. branch of Italian construction equipment builder Merlo Group—building a data center demands a multi-step progression of specialized labor, starting with site clearing and logistics prior to heavy structural work.
“For many years, there’s been a lack of focus just in general from what is the benefit of a career in the trades,” Renken explained, noting that the sector offers a very stable income and lifestyle. Electrical workers, in particular, could face exceptionally high demand as contractors race to wire these massive computing hubs.
Did you know? Anticipated to hit $684 billion by the year 2031, industrial sectors like factories and data centers will comprise 24% of all U.S. construction expenditures.
Long-Term Employment Beyond Initial Construction
The employment impact extends well past the initial groundbreaking phase. Brittany Kaiser, CEO of AI infrastructure company Alpha Compute, stated that data centers function as ongoing construction and operational projects that generate employment for years.
“These are projects that can provide hundreds or thousands of jobs over many, many years,” Kaiser said. “It’s not a quick construction project.” Data centers require sustained workforces to install equipment, monitor daily operations, perform ongoing maintenance, and support future facility expansions, according to Kaiser. She noted that these positions can be filled through targeted community education and training initiatives.
Persistent Shortages Threaten Timelines
Despite the economic upside, the fast-paced buildout risks intensifying existing labor shortages within the construction sector. Renken noted that labor deficits in the skilled trades have persisted throughout much of his career and are likely to grow more acute as additional projects come online.
Data center development is expanding rapidly nationwide, with Texas emerging as a leading hub. North Texas recently claimed the top spot in a global ranking of the industry’s leading markets, driven by intense regional development. As projects multiply across regions like Texas, matching available workers to specialized infrastructure roles remains a central operational hurdle for developers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs are created by the AI infrastructure boom?
The boom creates demand for heavy-equipment operators, logistics coordinators, concrete workers, plumbers, electricians, and long-term facility maintenance and monitoring staff, according to industry sources.
Why are data centers causing a construction surge?
Data centers require massive amounts of power, specialized cooling systems, heavy electrical wiring, and continuous physical expansion to support artificial intelligence and cloud computing workloads.
Are these jobs temporary?
While construction has an initial peak, data centers require ongoing maintenance, equipment upgrades, and expansions, creating long-term employment that spans many years, according to Alpha Compute CEO Brittany Kaiser.
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