Arizona’s Data Center Boom: Powering the Future with Skilled Labor

By Allison Walters, Workify President

The Surge of Data Center Construction in the U.S.

The rise of AI, 5G, cloud computing, and edge technologies has placed massive demands on digital infrastructure — and nowhere is this more evident than in the surge of data center construction. Across the U.S., developers are racing to build next-generation facilities to house the servers, networks, and cooling systems that keep the digital world running. According to recent industry reports, the U.S. data center construction market is forecasted to grow from $76.56 billion in 2024 to $110.76 billion by 2030, reflecting a robust 6.19% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

What’s behind the boom? A confluence of tech innovation, rising enterprise cloud adoption, and exploding AI workloads — all of which require high-density data centers capable of housing powerful, energy-hungry equipment. This wave of development is not just about building more facilities — it’s about building smarter, faster, and with highly specialized labor. And the skilled trades are the backbone of that effort.

Phoenix: Ground Zero for Data Center Expansion

Phoenix has rapidly become one of the most attractive data center markets in North America — second only to Northern Virginia. Industry players like Microsoft, Meta, and Google have already staked significant claims in the area, drawn by affordable land, a stable power grid, low natural disaster risk, and business-friendly permitting environments.

According to CBRE, Phoenix currently has more than 2.8 million square feet (703 megawatts) of data center projects under construction, with another 2.7 million square feet (634 megawatts) already in the planning pipeline. That explosive growth has vaulted the city into a national spotlight, creating a booming demand for construction labor — from union and non-union contractors alike.

In many ways, Phoenix is now ground zero for the next decade of digital infrastructure development. But all this opportunity brings a critical challenge: a widening skilled labor gap.

Why Skilled Trades Are the Linchpin

Unlike other commercial or industrial builds, data center projects demand hyper-specialized trades talent with experience in power-heavy, climate-controlled environments. Electricians must wire complex systems designed for massive energy loads. HVAC specialists must install ultra-efficient cooling systems to keep server temperatures within narrow tolerances. Welders, cable techs, and fitters must work with precision and speed — often under compressed timelines and stringent compliance requirements.

But with skilled labor already in short supply, many contractors are finding it harder to source, vet, and retain the right people — especially for time-sensitive data center builds. These projects can’t afford delays or do-overs. One misstep in staffing can cost a developer millions in penalties, missed SLAs, or lost revenue from delays in go-live dates.

You can’t build the future with yesterday’s labor model. At Workify, we connect cutting-edge projects with best-in-class trades talent — so your data center doesn’t just get built, it gets built right.