From Scroll · Simon Buechler, The Conversation & Lyndsey Rolheiser, The Conversation · · 1m
Data Centres Create Modest Local Jobs
New data centres create 1,000-1,300 jobs per county over 3-5 years, but benefits are slow and limited.
In brief
New data centres create 1,000-1,300 jobs per county over 3-5 years, but benefits are slow and limited. US data centres opened 2000-2023 created 1,000-1,300 nonconstruction jobs per county after 3-5 years, mostly in support industries. Originally reported by Scroll.
Data Centre Job Impact
Data centres require huge investments in land, buildings, and power infrastructure.
Local Job Creation
New data centres created 1,000-1,300 nonconstruction jobs per county after 3-5 years.
Job Timing
Jobs appear slowly: little change in employment for first two years after opening.
Job Types
Jobs concentrated in transportation, warehousing, professional services and real estate.
Job Scale
Each megawatt of data centre capacity creates 2.7 nonconstruction jobs after expansion.
Local Investment Patterns
Existing data centre operators expand facilities, not new companies building nearby.
Study Limitations
Findings don’t apply to current AI-powered data centres and don’t address costs.
What it means
US data centres opened 2000-2023 created 1,000-1,300 nonconstruction jobs per county after 3-5 years, mostly in support industries.
