Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Jensen Huang, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, argued that the global race to build AI data centers, which he called the "largest infrastructure build-out in human history," will create high-paying opportunities for electricians, plumbers, steelworkers, and construction workers. Huang noted that many of these roles already pay over $100,000 a year without requiring a college degree, adding that the next wave of six-figure opportunities will "partially come by picking up a wrench—literally." A McKinsey report estimates the U.S. will need an additional 130,000 trained electricians, 240,000 construction laborers, and 150,000 construction supervisors between 2023 and 2030. Staffing firm Randstad found demand for skilled trades grew 27% over four years, with electrician postings up 18% and construction roles up 30% since late 2022. Workers on data center projects averaged $81,800 a year in early 2026, roughly 32% above wages on comparable commercial builds, according to hiring platform Skillit. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink told an energy conference in Houston that he had warned the Trump administration the country would "run out of electricians" needed for AI data centers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects electrician jobs will grow 9% over the next decade. Ford CEO Jim Farley has cautioned that AI is hollowing out