Meridian is building
data centers

Meridian, MS has about 320 MW of AI data centers across 1 site, with 320 MW still to build. The builders here include Compass.

At the busiest point, about 614 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 Meridian, the data centers look most short on ironworkers. Here is the read by trade.

Ironworkers — worth training up: YES, tight. The data centers need about 86 ironworkers at the busiest point — close to all of the ~128 ironworkers Mississippi has free for this kind of work. Expect overtime, steady work, and builders willing to train.

Carpenters — probably not, just for this. The data centers need about 106 carpenters, and Mississippi already has about 558 free for this kind of work. Plenty. Still steady work, but no special data-center shortage.

Electricians — probably not, just for this. The data centers need about 173 electricians, and Mississippi already has about 1,412 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 67 pipefitters, and Mississippi already has about 762 free for this kind of work. Plenty. Still steady work, but no special data-center shortage.

Network/low-voltage technicians — probably not, just for this. The data centers need about 38 network/low-voltage technicians, and Mississippi already has about 425 free for this kind of work. Plenty. Still steady work, but no special data-center shortage.

Sheet metal workers — probably not, just for this. The data centers need about 19 sheet metal workers, and Mississippi already has about 285 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 Mississippi. The Mississippi trade pages show you how to start. Sources: a national survey of data-center building plans, plus U.S. jobs and pay data.