Unknown (Wyoming) is building
data centers

Unknown (Wyoming), WY has about 302 MW of AI data centers across 1 site, with 302 MW still to build. The builders here include Related Digital.

At the busiest point, about 579 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 Unknown (Wyoming), the data centers look most short on ironworkers. Here is the read by trade.

Ironworkers — worth training up: YES, big shortage. At the busiest point the data centers need about 82 ironworkers, but only about 18 of Wyoming's ironworkers are free to take it on — the rest are busy with their regular jobs, which do not stop. That leaves Wyoming short about 64. 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.

Sheet metal workers — could go either way. The data centers need about 18 sheet metal workers, and Wyoming has about 42 free for this kind of work. Enough to mostly cover it, but it will be busy, with some overtime.

Network/low-voltage technicians — could go either way. The data centers need about 36 network/low-voltage technicians, and Wyoming has about 85 free for this kind of work. Enough to mostly cover it, but it will be busy, with some overtime.

HVAC/R technicians — probably not, just for this. The data centers need about 36 hvac/r technicians, and Wyoming already has about 142 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 163 electricians, and Wyoming already has about 678 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 63 pipefitters, and Wyoming 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 Wyoming. The Wyoming trade pages show you how to start. Sources: a national survey of data-center building plans, plus U.S. jobs and pay data.