Skilled trades workers under 30 report annual salaries of $240,000 to $280,000 amid high demand in AI infrastructure projects.
Electricians under 30 working at AI data centers in Texas are earning between $240,000 and $280,000 annually, including overtime, with no debt. The workers, all poached multiple times in the past 18 months, highlight a growing labor shortage in skilled trades critical to AI infrastructure development.
Demand for electricians and other trades has surged as data center construction accelerates, driven by AI expansion. The MikeroweWORKS Foundation has distributed over $11 million in vocational scholarships to address the skills gap, aiming to create an “AI-proof” career pipeline for next-generation workers.
The trend underscores shifting perceptions of blue-collar jobs, with rising wages and job security attracting younger workers. This year, the foundation secured $10 million to expand its operational footprint, further supporting trade education initiatives.