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Texas has become the epicenter of the U.S. data center boom,

As of mid-2026, at least 248 data center projects are planned across the state, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. Here's a look at who's hiring and what roles are in demand.

The Top Hiring Companies

OpenAI / Stargate (Oracle, SoftBank, MGX, Crusoe, Lancium)The Stargate Project is the most talked-about build out in the state. OpenAI's Stargate I data center in Abilene, Texas, is set to come fully online this year, part of a joint venture formed by OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX that plans to invest $500 billion over four years into new AI infrastructure. Beyond the flagship Abilene site, OpenAI announced construction of additional facilities in Shackelford County, Texas and Milam County, Texas. Internal Oracle documents project that the new sites combined with Abilene and its expansion could deliver over 5.5 gigawatts of capacity and create over 25,000 onsite jobs. On-the-ground developer Crusoe Energy Systems has said it expects more than 100 full-time jobs in roles like data center technicians, turbine plant operators, and maintenance work, and there are currently over 1,000 construction workers on site.

Google (Alphabet)

Google has made one of the largest single commitments in the state. Alphabet is investing $40 billion to build new data centers in two Texas counties — Armstrong County in the Texas Panhandle and Haskell County in West Texas near Abilene. CEO Sundar Pichai said the investment will create thousands of jobs and provide skills training to college students and electrical apprentices, with the build out running through 2027.

Microsoft

Microsoft already has a substantial and growing footprint. According to MS; Microsoft employed 325 people across all its data centers in Texas as of last April, and expects to have 791 full-time employees and contractors in operational facilities by the end of 2026, plus nearly 3,000 construction jobs. Yahoo Finance

Amazon Web Services

AWS is another major hyperscaler active in the state. Amazon Web Services says they have increased jobs from data center construction, operations, and infrastructure, while also investing in renewable energy projects and local businesses, education, and community organizations. San Antonio Current

Meta

Meta launched America's Workforce Academy (AWA) — June 8, 2026 a nationwide, fast-track to a long-term career in a skilled trade, powered by an initial $115 million first year investment. It’s the largest private-sector commitment to the skilled trades with a job guarantee in American history. You can read more about AWA in Meta’s Newsroom Post and a Wall Street Journal op-ed co-authored by Dina Powell McCormick and Mike Rowe.

Regional and colocation playersBeyond the hyperscalers, established data center operators like CyrusOne, Digital Realty, Vantage Data Centers, and QTS continue to expand Dallas-Fort Worth capacity, while energy and industrial firms are also entering the space — for example, Hanwha Energy USA is advancing strategic initiatives in natural gas generation and data center development, including hyperscaler solutions.

Where the Jobs Are

Dallas-Fort Worth is already a strong data center market, with opportunities across facility operations, construction, commissioning, engineering, maintenance, and technician roles. According to  Dallas News; Dallas Led the US in Tech postings for June 2026,. Houston benefits from its strong connection to energy, utilities, industrial operations, engineering, and construction, meaning power systems, electrical infrastructure, mechanical systems, safety, facilities, project management, and utility experience are all relevant. Abilene and West Texas are emerging areas tied to large-scale AI and hyperscale development.

Top Jobs in Demand

1. Data Center TechniciansThe core operational role. Data center professionals monitor server performance, ensure network connectivity, and conduct routine equipment checks to prevent outages, while responding to support tickets, installing or replacing hardware, and maintaining security protocols. To thrive as a Data Center Technician, candidates typically need a solid understanding of computer hardware, networking, and electrical systems, usually supported by a relevant associate degree or technical certification. See our deep dive certification guides for more.

2. Electricians (Journeyman/Commissioning)With so much construction underway, electrical trades are in high demand — postings include roles like a Journeyman Electrician for Data Center Commissioning, requiring 20+ years of combined on-site experience across teams, plus similar commissioning electrician roles across active Stargate sites. ZipRecruiter

3. Construction and Project ManagersGlassdoor listings show heavy demand here: Data Center Construction Managers own integrated schedules using tools like Primavera P6 and MS Project, covering design, procurement, construction, and commissioning. Related postings emphasize civil engineering, fiscal management, and schedule management skills. GlassdoorGlassdoor

4. Mechanical/Electrical/Facilities EngineersHyperscalers need engineers who span disciplines. Data center engineering teams think "from chip to chiller" (or electrical substation), determining configurations and ensuring maximum system efficiency. Building engineer roles are also common — a Critical Data Center Building Engineer performs day-to-day operation and maintenance of facilities and equipment to keep building assets at the highest degree of care and value. GlassdoorZipRecruiter

5. Network Administrators, Systems Engineers, and Security SpecialistsOn the IT side, data centers employ network administrators, systems engineers, hardware technicians, security specialists, and facility managers. ZipRecruiter

6. Water Treatment and Cooling SpecialistsBecause AI data centers consume enormous amounts of water and power, specialized roles have emerged, such as Water Treatment Resource Technicians who travel to multiple customer data centers in Texas. ZipRecruiter

7. Turbine and Power Plant OperatorsSince, newer AI campuses are being designed for dedicated power generation, roles like turbine plant operators (as noted by Crusoe in Abilene) are increasingly common alongside traditional utility and grid-infrastructure jobs.

Pay and Outlook

Wages vary by region and role. The average hourly pay for data center roles in Texas is about $31.97, while Dallas averages slightly higher at $35.88 per hour and Houston sits around $35.24 per hour, with a median wage near $27.21. Entry-level technician and support roles start lower, while specialized electrical, engineering, and project management roles command six-figure salaries — some Dallas-area postings for civil engineers and senior technical staff range as high as $132,000–$240,000 annually.

It's worth noting that despite massive capital investment, permanent staffing per facility is relatively modest — data center projects typically create far fewer long-term jobs than traditional tech campuses, with an initial burst of construction employment followed by minimal full-time operational staff.

The bigger employment wave, then, comes from construction, trades, and the broader supply chain — electricians, HVAC and cooling specialists, water treatment technicians, and heavy equipment operators — rather than permanent headcount once a facility goes live. However, Texas is positioned as one of the largest beneficiaries of that growth.

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