Data center demand is exploding, and skilled trade workers — especially electricians — struggle to keep up, reports CBS News. Data centers now compete with factories and manufacturing for trained electricians and HVAC technicians. As older workers retire and fewer young people enter trades, the gap widens. Electrician Kevin Fishback sees the urgency. His local […]
Oklahoma City electrician Matt Brown recovered many of his tools after police uncovered what appears to be a theft ring involving pawn shops in Newcastle. According to News9, Brown’s tools—collected over two decades—showed up in a pawn shop database. Police identified a suspect and issued an arrest warrant in McClain County. Brown said he saw […]
The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District (SCCPCCD) launched its first electrician certificate program on August 21 with strong backing from South32 Hermosa. The initiative begins with 16 students and marks the start of a larger partnership designed to strengthen technical education and expand career opportunities in the county, according to reporting by My […]
At just 23 years old, Jacob Palmer of Concord, North Carolina, is proving that a successful career does not always require a college degree. Instead of taking on student loans and classroom lectures, Palmer chose the skilled trades and built a thriving career as an electrician. Today, he runs his own business and earns a […]
The Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners recently held a public hearing to consider removing a long-standing exemption that allows low-voltage technicians to work without a full journeyperson electrician license for smaller jobs like landscape lighting, security system installs, and doorbell work. The proposal drew strong opposition from contractors, trade associations, and business leaders who said […]
Charlottesville will host NextGen Skilled Trades Day on October 4 at Piedmont Virginia Community College. The event will connect students, families, educators, and jobseekers with careers in the skilled trades. Visitors can explore electrician work, HVAC, welding, and other high-demand fields. Employers will share career paths, certifications, and apprenticeship opportunities. Hands-on demonstrations will give attendees […]
SLIDESHOW: In 2023, cities in California topped the charts when it came to the highest compensation for electricians. However, there was a shift in 2024 — overwhelmingly, cities in Washington state make up most of the Top 10 highest-paying cities for electricians, according to data from “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024 Study,” provided by the […]
VIDEO: As construction booms in Utah, trade jobs are increasing in demand. Encore Electric is one Utah company actively recruiting electricians from entry-level to experienced. “What I am seeing in trades right now is somewhat of a shortage in skilled workers,” said Steven Wehr, with Encore Electric. “There is a huge need for it. There […]
The U.S. economy has a shocking problem: too few electricians.
At least 10,000 openings need to be filled nationwide, with an annual shortfall of around 3,000 electricians, according to workforce estimates. Many of these jobs offer six-figure salaries, full benefits, and long-term stability—yet positions remain vacant.
The shortage comes at a time when demand has never been higher. The global data center construction market is expected to top $200 billion, fueled by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure. The U.S. is one of the largest hubs for this growth, with Virginia, Texas, and New York leading the way. Every new facility requires a skilled army of electricians to keep servers cool and powered around the clock.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent annual growth in electrician jobs from 2022 to 2032—double the average for all occupations. That means nearly 73,500 openings each year across sectors, with data centers, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing all competing for the same pool of talent.
Starting September 1, sales contracts for residential solar energy panels are prohibited from making misleading statements about the performance or cost of solar energy panels and must have contracts that include the consumer’s right to cancel the contract within five business days. Under Senate Bill 1036 (89th Texas Legislature), authored by state Senator Judith Zaffirini of Laredo, […]