McCarran is building
data centers

McCarran, NV has about 346 MW of AI data centers across 2 sites, with 216 MW still to build. The builders here include Switch, EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure.

At the busiest point, about 413 skilled workers will be on these sites at once, across all the trades. Many drive in from nearby towns, but the work starts here — and it is not split evenly, so some trades are short and some are not.

Worth training up for? Around McCarran, the data centers look most short on ironworkers and network/low-voltage technicians. Here is the read by trade.

Ironworkers — worth training up: YES, big shortage. At the busiest point the data centers need about 58 ironworkers, but only about 40 of the McCarran area's ironworkers are free to take it on — the rest are busy with their regular jobs, which do not stop. That leaves the McCarran area short about 18. When builders cannot find enough ironworkers, the ones already working put in overtime (bigger paychecks), and builders pay to train new people and bring in workers from other states.

Network/low-voltage technicians — worth training up: YES, tight. The data centers need about 26 network/low-voltage technicians at the busiest point — close to all of the ~40 network/low-voltage technicians the McCarran area has free for this kind of work. Expect overtime, steady work, and builders willing to train.

Electricians — could go either way. The data centers need about 117 electricians, and the McCarran area has about 380 free for this kind of work. Enough to mostly cover it, but it will be busy, with some overtime.

Sheet metal workers — probably not, just for this. The data centers need about 13 sheet metal workers, and the McCarran area already has about 52 free for this kind of work. Plenty. Still steady work, but no special data-center shortage.

Welders — probably not, just for this. The data centers need about 32 welders, and the McCarran area already has about 135 free for this kind of work. Plenty. Still steady work, but no special data-center shortage.

Pipefitters — probably not, just for this. The data centers need about 45 pipefitters, and the McCarran area already has about 302 free for this kind of work. Plenty. Still steady work, but no special data-center shortage.

These are some of the best-paying jobs you can get without a four-year degree. When a trade is short, builders run overtime and pay to train, and experienced workers can clear $100,000 a year, with health care and a pension through the union. It is the same across the country: builders cannot find enough skilled workers. The U.S. needs about 140,000 more trade workers by 2030 to build all the data centers, and most builders say hiring is their hardest problem. Microsoft's president has called the shortage of electricians the biggest thing slowing data centers down.

You sign up and get your license through Nevada. The Nevada trade pages show you how to start. Sources: a national survey of data-center building plans, plus U.S. jobs and pay data.