How the Data Center Boom is Shaping Industries
The data center industry is experiencing remarkable growth, driven by advancements in AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation. While challenges such as President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs may slightly hinder progress by restricting access to critical components like transformers, the industry continues to expand rapidly. Here’s a closer look at the industries most influenced by this growth.
1. Energy Sector: A Surge in Demand for Power
By 2025, the U.S. energy sector is expected to support 630,087 jobs, a slight decrease from projections in December 2024, though the overall labor market remains strong.
- Rising Demand: Data centers consume large amounts of electricity, placing considerable strain on existing power grids.
- Grid Upgrades: Tariffs on essential metal components, such as transformers, may delay crucial upgrades to the electrical grid.
2. Construction Industry: Building the Future
To meet the growing demand for construction services, the industry will need to attract an estimated 439,000 new workers in 2025.
- New Builds: Data centers require specialized infrastructure, including advanced cooling systems and power solutions, driving demand for construction services.
- Expansion Projects: The development of data centers necessitates significant investments in roads, power plants, and fiber-optic networks.
3. Tech Hardware Manufacturers: Meeting Rising Demand
According to the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. will need an additional 3.8 million manufacturing jobs over the next decade. However, 1.9 million positions could remain unfilled without adequate workforce development efforts.
- Server Demand: The growth of data centers is fueling a surge in demand for servers and storage devices.
- GPU Growth: The increasing need for high-performance GPUs to support AI, machine learning, and high-performance computing (HPC) is driving substantial growth in hardware demand. The rise of cloud computing and AI-powered services further accelerates this trend, with GPU demand expected to rise significantly in the coming years.
4. Real Estate Market: Data Centers as Investment Hubs
In 2025, the real estate industry is projected to see moderate growth, with around 46,000 openings for brokers and sales agents expected annually, driven by new hires and the need to replace retiring workers.
- Property Growth: Areas housing data centers are seeing rising land values and increased investment.
- Economic Boost: Data centers create jobs and stimulate local economies, benefiting both commercial and residential real estate markets.
5. IT Services & Cloud Computing: Scaling to Meet Demand
The IT services industry is expected to continue growing in 2025, with a projected 356,700 job openings annually, largely driven by demand for technology services and software development.
- Cloud Expansion: The growth of cloud computing is accelerating the need for more data centers to scale storage and computing capabilities.
- Management & Security: As data centers expand, so does the demand for secure management and cybersecurity solutions.
6. Financial Services & E-Commerce: Securing Transactions
Employment in business and financial occupations is expected to grow faster than average from 2023 to 2033, with approximately 963,500 job openings annually.
- Secure Transactions: Financial institutions depend on data centers to manage secure transactions and store sensitive data.
- E-Commerce Demand: The growing e-commerce sector relies on data centers to process transactions and manage inventories.
7. Manufacturing & Logistics: Real-Time Data for Efficiency
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts significant growth in demand for logistics professionals, estimating an 18% increase in logistician jobs from 2022 to 2032.
- Smart Manufacturing: Real-time data from connected machines improves production efficiency and reduces waste.
- Logistics Optimization: Data centers enable businesses to optimize shipping routes and enhance supply chain management.
Conclusion: Embracing the Data Center Revolution
The demand for GPUs and data center infrastructure is poised to grow exponentially, driven by industries such as AI, cloud computing, and gaming. Despite challenges posed by metal tariffs, the expansion of the data center industry is spurring innovation and transformation across multiple sectors—from energy and construction to finance and e-commerce. This rapid growth in digital infrastructure is creating exciting opportunities and reshaping industries as we know them. Stay with us as we continue to track how these changes will shape the future.
