Interactive: Why AI's building boom may delay other construction projects
AI data centers are intensifying competition for skilled construction workers across America, according to a 2026 survey. This demand for labor is driving up wages for tradespeople, potentially increasing costs for other construction projects like homes and offices.
The rapid expansion of AI data centers is creating significant competition for skilled construction workers, according to a 2026 survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and the National Center for Construction Education and Research.
Approximately 58% of construction firms reported that data center projects are increasing rivalry for labor, with nearly half experiencing pressure to raise wages for these essential trades. Fraser Patterson, CEO of Skillit, highlighted that data centers require the same five key trades—carpenters, electricians, heavy equipment operators, concrete workers, and general labor—that are crucial for building homes and offices. He noted that data center construction wages are roughly 32% higher, boosting a $30-an-hour job to about $40.
Patterson warned that these elevated labor costs could ultimately be passed on to consumers through pricier housing and commercial construction projects, indicating a broader economic impact of the AI building boom.