Trending Now - Tech Layoffs Overlook Lucrative $300K Data Center Jobs

WHO:

Fortune - Carrie Charles is the CEO of staffing and recruiting firm Broadstaff, which works with companies like Verizon and Oracle.

Business Insider - Carrie Charles is the CEO and cofounder of Broadstaff.

WHAT:

Fortune - The data center build-out in the U.S. is nearly $700 billion and is a main driver of GDP.

Fortune - Advanced technicians can make up to $95,000, with a median salary of $71,000; senior skilled electricians can earn over $100,000, with some making up to $300,000.

Fortune - Demand for skilled trade roles has increased significantly, with robotics technician demand more than doubling, HVAC engineer demand increasing by 67%, and construction roles growing by 30% since late 2022.

Business Insider - Data center job listings increased by 64% between 2023 and 2025.

Business Insider - Employment at data centers in the U.S. increased by over 60% from 2016 to 2023.

Business Insider - Entry-level data center technicians can earn between $45,000 and $65,000 annually, while advanced technicians can earn between $80,000 and $100,000.

Business Insider - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 81,000 job openings for electricians annually through 2034.

WHERE:

Fortune - The data center build-out is occurring across the United States.

Business Insider - Broadstaff works with companies like Oracle and Verizon.

WHEN:

Fortune - The analysis of job listings was based on data from late 2022, around the time ChatGPT was launched.

Business Insider - The Uptime Institute offers a data center certification program that takes five days to complete.

WHY:

Fortune - The demand for skilled trade roles is strong due to the data center build-out and the impact of AI on job automation.

Business Insider - There is a disconnect between the demand for data center talent and the thousands of laid-off desk workers struggling to find new jobs.

HOW:

Fortune - Companies are creating training pipelines to fill the talent gap, with Meta and CBRE announcing a program called LevelUp to recruit and train technicians.

Business Insider - Broadstaff works with Wachter, a national electrical contractor, to offer apprenticeship programs for aspiring electricians.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 23:20 UTC)

The U.S. data center build-out, which is nearing $700 billion, is a significant driver of GDP and has led to a dramatic increase in demand for skilled trade roles, with job listings for data centers rising by 64% between 2023 and 2025. Carrie Charles, the CEO and cofounder of staffing firm Broadstaff, is working with major companies like Verizon and Oracle to address the talent gap by creating training pipelines and apprenticeship programs for aspiring electricians. As the demand for advanced technicians grows, salaries can reach up to $300,000 for senior skilled electricians, highlighting the lucrative opportunities available in this expanding sector.