AI data center buildout has created 300k+ construction jobs since 2022, Goldman says

NinaDSchick · x · 2026-09-07

Nina Schick predicts opposition to data centers will stratify by class: college-educated people strongly against, tradespeople strongly in favor, as the AI buildout reshapes labor markets.

Citing a16z/Goldman data: the AI buildout has generated 300k+ construction jobs since 2022, 75k in the past year alone; electrician and HVAC trades are growing 2% a year, roughly double overall construction.

The accompanying a16z Charts of the Week notes tech hiring since January 2025 increasingly prefers years of experience (5-10% rise) over breadth of skills, likely an AI-driven shift — data and systems roles show the largest experience premia.

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