• By Jesse Jacobs
• August 31, 2026

Massive national investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure has sparked a nationwide surge in demand for skilled trade workers to build and maintain data centers, according to a report released by Affordable Contractors Insurance.

While tech hubs are typically associated with software engineers, the physical expansion of AI requires an extensive workforce of electricians, heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians, pipefitters and construction crews. The study evaluated operational facilities, active construction pipelines and hiring data across all 50 states to identify where infrastructure growth is creating the highest concentration of trade jobs relative to total employment.

Washington state ranked first nationwide in trade job availability per capita. Driven by major cloud and AI operations near Seattle, Washington recorded more than 23,600 active infrastructure trade positions, with an additional 1,270 new job openings available.

Virginia ranked second overall and continues to hold the largest absolute volume of data center infrastructure in the country. With 320 operational facilities and another 634 planned or under construction, Northern Virginia’s computing corridor supports more than 20,000 trade jobs, with 1,802 new openings arriving.

Georgia placed third following explosive industry expansion. The state currently has 396 facilities in development — more than six times its operational base of 62 data centers. Hyperscale investments in the Atlanta metropolitan area are projected to generate 823 new trade positions, adding to more than 24,000 existing roles.

Missouri and Utah rounded out the top five states for trade opportunities. Missouri recorded 14,520 trade jobs across 24 operational sites, supported by strong growth around Kansas City and 45 new projects in development. Utah logged 8,276 jobs, with 127 new facilities in the pipeline expanding its operational footprint of 29 sites.

In terms of raw volume, Texas led the nation in upcoming job creation, with 3,081 new positions opening alongside a development pipeline of 750 projects. California generated the highest overall volume of existing trade roles, supporting over 81,000 positions across 166 operational centers.