Who builds South Carolina's
data centers?

South Carolina is building 1.6 GW of new AI data centers across 7 sites. 380 MW is already running, and 1.2 GW is still being built. The biggest builders here are Google, Eagle Rock Partners, DC BLOX, DOE (seeking private developer).

At the busiest point, about 2,389 skilled workers will be on these sites at once, across all the trades. But the work is not split evenly — some trades will be short, and some will not. That is what decides whether it is worth training up.

Should you train up for this? It depends on the trade. In South Carolina, the data centers look most short on ironworkers. Those are the best bets right now. Here is the read, trade by trade.

Ironworkers — worth training up: YES, big shortage. At the busiest point the data centers need about 336 ironworkers, but only about 168 of South Carolina's ironworkers are free to take it on — the rest are busy with their regular jobs, which do not stop. That leaves South Carolina short about 168. 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.

Electricians — could go either way. The data centers need about 672 electricians, and South Carolina has about 1,958 free for this kind of work. Enough to mostly cover it, but it will be busy, with some overtime.

Carpenters — probably not, just for this. The data centers need about 411 carpenters, and South Carolina already has about 1,768 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 149 network/low-voltage technicians, and South Carolina already has about 648 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 75 sheet metal workers, and South Carolina already has about 365 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 261 pipefitters, and South Carolina already has about 1,370 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 187 welders, and South Carolina already has about 1,900 free for this kind of work. Plenty. Still steady work, but no special data-center shortage.

Data center technicians — worth training up: YES. Once these data centers open they will need about 239 data center technicians to run them, day and night. These are permanent jobs, and there are not enough local data center technicians to fill them — so they hire and train. Steady, long-term work.

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.

The building jobs run for a few years; the jobs that run the data centers last longer. Either way, a shortage is good news if you are in that trade. To start in South Carolina, look at the apprenticeship programs for the trade you want. Sources: a national survey of data-center building plans, plus U.S. jobs and pay data.