Somerset is building
data centers

Somerset, NY has about 737 MW of AI data centers across 8 sites, with 580 MW still to build. The builders here include TeraWulf.

At the busiest point, about 1,114 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 Somerset, 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 157 ironworkers, but only about 40 of the Somerset area's ironworkers are free to take it on — the rest are busy with their regular jobs, which do not stop. That leaves the Somerset area short about 117. 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 70 network/low-voltage technicians at the busiest point — close to all of the ~80 network/low-voltage technicians the Somerset 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 313 electricians, and the Somerset area has about 565 free for this kind of work. Enough to mostly cover it, but it will be busy, with some overtime.

Pipefitters — could go either way. The data centers need about 122 pipefitters, and the Somerset area has about 335 free for this kind of work. Enough to mostly cover it, but it will be busy, with some overtime.

Welders — could go either way. The data centers need about 87 welders, and the Somerset area has about 240 free for this kind of work. Enough to mostly cover it, but it will be busy, with some overtime.

Sheet metal workers — could go either way. The data centers need about 35 sheet metal workers, and the Somerset area has about 100 free for this kind of work. Enough to mostly cover it, but it will be busy, with some overtime.

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 New York. The New York trade pages show you how to start. Sources: a national survey of data-center building plans, plus U.S. jobs and pay data.