The growth of data centers in Northern Virginia is creating opportunities for young Americans to pursue well-paid electrical careers without taking on college debt, according to workers and an electrical contractor involved in the industry. As artificial intelligence drives demand for facilities, they say paid training can lead to six-figure earnings and work that continues beyond construction.
Andrew Miller, a tradesman with 26 years of experience who raised six children while working in the field, described the opportunities during an interview with Fox News Digital inside one of Northern Virginia's largest data centers. He said trained electricians can earn six-figure salaries, an income he described as potentially transformative for workers in their early 20s. Miller said he has never been out of work during his career, including through recessions.
Northern Virginia's concentration of facilities has given it the nickname "Data Center Alley," with Loudoun County serving as a center of the country's expanding AI infrastructure. By March 2026, the county had more than 230 data centers either built or under construction, along with 116 additional projects in the pipeline. Miller acknowledged that the federal government's presence has historically supported employment in the region, but said data center expansion would further increase demand for electricians.
Bill McGraw of electrical contractor J.E. Richards said apprenticeships combine classroom learning with paid practical experience, giving participants an alternative to a traditional college degree. People accepted into a program through International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 can begin at roughly $27 to $28 per hour without prior experience, he said. For journeymen, McGraw cited pay of about $62 an hour, or nearly $129,000 annually for a year-round, 40-hour workweek before overtime.
Don Slaiman said Local 26's hiring hall has expanded from fewer than 9,000 workers to more than 17,500 during Northern Virginia's data center boom. McGraw said the industry's employment needs extend beyond building facilities. Electricians also handle maintenance, equipment upgrades and infrastructure improvements, creating continuing work after construction ends.
Miller said the benefits spread to nearby businesses and communities. An individual data center construction project can employ as many as 2,000 craft workers, he said, bringing customers to restaurants, housing providers and other local services. He also linked Northern Virginia's wealth to data centers and their development.
With AI increasing the need for new facilities, Slaiman said the industry's expansion can provide careers that help workers achieve financial stability and support their families. Miller likewise described a strong need for new entrants to the electrical trade, saying training efforts are struggling to keep pace with demand.
