While headlines often focus on AI eliminating jobs, new data from Indeed reveals a surprising trend: AI is creating a wave of jobs that don't look like traditional tech roles. These are in construction, installation, and maintenance for the data centers powering the AI revolution.
The Data Center Boom
Over the past two years, job postings for data center roles have more than doubled. Currently, about 6 in every 1,000 US job postings are data center-related, up from just 2 in 1,000 in June 2023. This surge contrasts with a 12% decline in total US postings and a 6% drop in other tech roles.
The 10 largest tech firms account for 71% of data center postings in 2026. Their hiring footprint is expanding beyond traditional tech hubs into smaller metros like Columbus, OH; Jackson, MS; and Reno, NV, where their share of local postings jumped from under 2% in mid-2025 to over 10% today.
Not Your Typical Tech Jobs
Data center roles are as likely to be for installation and maintenance workers as for IT professionals. About a quarter of all data center openings are for installation and maintenance, involving tasks like installing cabling, computers, and servers. These jobs often pay less than traditional tech roles, but they offer a significant premium: hourly installation workers at data centers earn 42% more ($10/hour extra) than similar non-data center roles.
The Geography Shift
Data center hiring is concentrated in specific regions where hyperscalers have established footholds, such as Hermiston, Oregon (AWS hub), rural areas near Columbus, Jackson, and Reno, and the Washington, D.C. area (8% of postings). This is reshaping the geography of tech employment, moving jobs away from Silicon Valley and Seattle.
What This Means for Job Seekers
For those without traditional tech backgrounds, data center roles offer a pathway into the tech industry. Skills in construction, electrical systems, and engineering are in high demand. However, questions remain about the permanence of these jobs once construction is complete.
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