Data Centres: Many Construction Jobs, Few Permanent Roles in 2026

Data centres create thousands of jobs during building but only around 30 permanent staff are needed for each facility once operational. This is much less than many other industries.
By Newsroom | Technology, Employment |

The construction phase of data centre development can be a temporary boon, employing "thousands of tradespeople at peak" for projects lasting "over a decade." However, once operational, these facilities tend to employ a remarkably small number of permanent staff. Reports suggest that a "facility running 2 to 5 megawatts of power typically requires around 30 permanent workers," with larger facilities offering "nothing for that model to latch onto" in terms of significant long-term employment.

While data centres are frequently presented as job creators, the reality appears to be a stark contrast between the substantial capital investment and the relatively few permanent roles they generate.

The Construction Mirage

The allure of data centre development often lies in the immediate, albeit temporary, influx of jobs during the building phase. These projects are described as "huge long-term infrastructure project[s]" that can engage "thousands of tradespeople at peak." This construction period can generate revenue for local economies through taxes on materials, equipment, and power consumption, as well as personal income and unemployment taxes from the transient workforce.

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Employment: A Question of Permanence

  • Once the construction dust settles, the operational workforce for data centres is notably lean.

  • Many of these jobs are not necessarily high-tech roles, with some described as "temporary" or "contract labour."

  • There's a concern that job creation might not benefit local workers, with opportunities arising "over a long period of time" and not always going to those in the immediate vicinity.

The Narrow Scope of Operational Roles

The permanent positions within data centres are often specialised, requiring specific skills. Job titles mentioned include Data Centre Engineer, Data Centre Operations Specialist, and Data Centre Technician, who are described as the "backbone of data center operations." While the average salary for these roles in Europe can reach approximately €108,229.30 annually, the sheer number of such positions is a point of contention.

"Not all data centre jobs are high paid tech jobs."

Talent and Training Gaps

The sector faces a "highly niche" demand for "specific and highly skilled talent." This has led to discussions about the need for data centres to potentially "fund local job training programs and contribute to community employment funds." Furthermore, there's an indication that the traditional reliance on college degrees might be a barrier, with opportunities to "shift the American workforce away from overreliance on college degrees to measure talent and potential."

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Background: The Economic Proposition and its Critics

Data centres are positioned as significant drivers of economic development, with claims of substantial positive impacts on community development. They are argued to be as attractive to recruit as "any other typical economic development project." The financial arguments often highlight capital investment and tax revenue.

However, critics question the sustainability and equity of this proposition. Some argue that data centres "occupy comparable or even larger footprints, consume vastly more public resources, and employ a fraction of the people" compared to other industries. The focus on construction jobs is seen by some as a way to mask the limited long-term employment impact. The building trades unions, benefiting from construction contracts, have been noted as having a vested interest in promoting these projects, even when permanent job numbers are "negligible."

"Data centers are important for digital infrastructure but create limited jobs."

The rapid expansion of data centres, driven by factors like "industry 4.0 and the COVID-19 pandemic," continues to accelerate demand for their services and, consequently, for staff. This growth, however, has also raised concerns about talent shortages and the need for specialized recruitment expertise. The gender gap within the data centre sector in Europe has also been highlighted.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many jobs do data centres create during construction?
Data centres create thousands of temporary jobs for tradespeople during their building phase, which can last over a decade. This provides a significant, though short-term, boost to local economies.
Q: How many permanent jobs do data centres offer?
Once operational, a data centre typically needs only around 30 permanent staff, even for large facilities. These roles often require specific technical skills.
Q: Why are data centres criticised for job creation?
Critics argue that the large investment in data centres results in very few permanent jobs compared to other industries. The focus on temporary construction jobs can mask this limited long-term employment impact.
Q: What kind of permanent jobs are available at data centres?
Permanent roles include Data Centre Engineers, Operations Specialists, and Technicians. While these jobs can be well-paid, the number of positions is small and requires specialized skills.
Q: What is being done about the skills gap for data centre jobs?
There is a need for data centres to fund local job training programs. Discussions are also happening about shifting focus from college degrees to measuring talent and potential for these specialized roles.