The NewAmerican Frontier
Job Training for the Next Technological Age
A forward-looking blueprint for job training in the age of AI, from the front lines of technological change.
The view from the edge of the learning curve. New technologies are changing the labor market. What can we learn about new jobs from the regions where they landed first?
The view from the edge of the learning curve
New technologies are changing the labor market
New technologies are changing the labor market
What can we learn about new jobs from the regions where they landed first?
What can we learn about new jobs from the regions where they landed first?
Data Centers
Data Centers are the physical backbone of the digital economy. They store, process, and distribute the data for websites, apps, cloud storage, ecommerce, and increasingly, AI.
Industry
Data Centers
Northern Virginia (VA), US
Cloud Corridor (Northern Virginia)
Northern Virginia hosts more than a third of the world's hyperscale data centers, a preview of what AI infrastructure buildout looks like elsewhere. The New American Frontier charts the rise of Northern Virginia Community College as the industry's central technician training partner and the doubling of local electrician and HVAC apprenticeships.
Top Jobs in Data Centers without a BA
Priority jobs for the New American Frontier are accessible (no BA Required) and pay well (above median wages)
Source: Authors' analysis; Revelio Labs; Methodology
Data Centers Fast Facts
$40 billion
Annualized spending on construction in June 2025; projected to surpass spending on general office construction
45,228
associate's degrees at 3,359 institutions
175,926
certificates at 5,033 institutions
Awarded in data center-relevant fields (data center operations, computer and information sciences, operators, and construction) in the U.S. in 2024
33%
Roles accessible without a BA
$52,000–$97,000
Typical annual pay for non-BA jobs
Source: Authors' analysis; IPEDS; Revelio Labs; Business Insider; Methodology
Technology Overview
Data Centers are the physical backbone of the digital economy. They store, process, and distribute the data for websites, apps, cloud storage, ecommerce, and increasingly, AI.
Technology Use Cases
Enterprise Data Centers
Company-owned facilities that host a single organization’s internal applications and data. The business owns and manages both the building and hardware.
Colocation Facilities
Third-party sites where companies rent space, power, and connectivity but bring and manage their own equipment.
Hyperscale Data Centers
Very large campuses operated by cloud providers (e.g. Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Oracle). Providers’ own servers are housed to deliver cloud and large-scale AI services. Most AI training and inference workloads now run on hyperscale infrastructure.
Edge Data Centers
Very small facilities that are optimized for specific use cases and placed near users (e.g. autonomous systems, smart manufacturing).
Economic and National Security Implications
Economic competitiveness
Data center construction accounts for 80% of U.S. private domestic demand growth in the first half of 2025. Driving the rapid buildout of data centers is the generative AI market, which is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2032. Data center capacity has become a major asset for the US as it strives to lead the global AI race: the US currently makes up 40% of global data center capacity.
National security implications
AI competition is expected to rival Cold War-era contests over nuclear and space technologies, and AI infrastructure, including data centers, will be vital to competitiveness in AI development and operation.
Example Jobs without a BA
| Job title | Also known as… | What this role does | Sample skills | Common credentials | Ex. Employers | Est. Pay Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Center Technician* | Data Center Operations Technician; Data Center Facilities Technician; Maintenance Technician; Engineering Operations Technician; Critical Environment Technician; Smart Hands; Remote Hands; Network Technician; Operations Technician; Support Technician | Manage day-to-day operations and fix issues that could shut the facilities down | Monitoring power, cooling, and safety systems; Troubleshooting electrical, mechanical and HVAC issues | Associates and Certificate in Computer and Information Sciences; Associates in Information Technology; Certificate in Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology; Associates in Engineering | Vantage Data Centers, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, JLL | $57,000 - $97,000 |
| Electrician | Journeyman electrician; Apprentice; Foreman | Install and maintain power systems so data centers have reliable electricity at all times | Installing and maintaining switchgear, panels, transformers, and generators; Electrical safety | Associates in Construction Engineering Technology | Microsoft, Helix Electric, IES Communications, Rosendin Electric, HITT Contracting, Southland Industries | $52,000 - $76,000 |
*Note: Data center technician titles and roles vary significantly within and across firms—e.g., "Data Center Operations Technician" focused on hardware/cabling; "Engineering Operations Technician" focused on facilities, power, and cooling; and "Smart Hands Technician" or "Remote Hands" in co-location settings focused on connectivity and customer-service troubleshooting. Because these titles and duties vary widely and skills often overlap, our data group these roles together for consistency; however, qualitative research finds notable differences in skills, responsibilities, and pay.
Data Center Education
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)
Associate Degree in Engineering Technology: Data Center Operations Specialization; Data Center Operations Career Studies Certificate
Housed within NOVA's A.A.S. in Engineering Technology, the Data Center Operations track leverages shared coursework in circuits, motors, power systems, cooling systems, and mechanical systems to provide a broad technical foundation applicable across data centers and advanced manufacturing. NOVA structures the pathway into two stackable credentials: a 1-year, 26-credit Certificate that prepares students for immediate entry-level technician hiring with industry certifications such as BICSI Installer for copper and fiber optic and OSHA 10, and a 2-year, 60-61 credit Associate degree focused on complex, facility-wide systems troubleshooting and critical environment maintenance, including fire and intrusion detection and fiber optic systems. Developed in partnership with industry leaders—including Equinix, Digital Realty, CoreSite, and Microsoft—the curriculum pairs hands-on operational training with faculty research opportunities, career development, and transfer pathways to four-year universities such as George Mason.
Hinds Community College (Mississippi)
I2PA AWS Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship Program
The I2PA (Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship) is a free, paid four-week 30-hour a week training program designed with AWS to prepare students for Data Center construction and operation roles, run in cohorts of approximately 20 students. Instructors from Hinds, Build MS, and Central Mississippi Planning and Development District train students in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fiber optics. Students pursue roles with AWS, local contractors, or further certification in fields like HVAC and electrical.
Steamfitters and pipefitters apprenticeship
The Steamfitter apprentice program is a five year training program where apprentices work forty hours a week with a union contractor and attend related training at the UA Mechanical Trade School. Steamfitters install and maintain the piping systems in data center facilities such as the chillers, cooling towers, and pumps that keep servers cool. Apprentices are trained in pipefitting, welding, and heating/air conditioning and refrigeration systems.