Business & Finance
Data center roles offer higher median pay alongside scheduling trade-offs, job posting analysis shows
Analysis of job postings indicates higher median salaries for data center roles compared to similar positions, though listings show an increased prevalence of night shifts and on-call demands.
The short version
- An analysis of Indeed job postings from January to June shows data center roles generally pay higher median salaries than non-data center counterparts, with major tech firms accounting for 71% of the listings.
- Data center job listings were significantly more likely to advertise night shifts, overtime, and on-call requirements than similar roles outside the sector.
- Data center expansion continues to face opposition, including local moratoriums and public skepticism regarding community benefits.
Key facts
- Data center job postings on Indeed from January to June revealed higher median pay across several titles compared to non-data center roles, such as facilities managers earning a median of $134,000, or 64% more than non-data center facilities managers.[Business Insider]
- Major tech employers accounted for 71% of data center job listings on Indeed during the period studied.[Business Insider]
- Job listings for data-center IT infrastructure, operations, and support roles advertised night work roughly 40 times more often, overtime about 10 times more often, and on-call status five times more often than non-data center counterparts.[Business Insider]
- A Pew Research Center survey conducted in January showed that 25% of U.S. adults believe data centers are mostly positive for local jobs, while 6% believe they benefit the quality of life for nearby residents.[Business Insider]
- Data center development has prompted local opposition, including moratoriums and bans enacted by New York State and several municipalities.[Business Insider]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unclear how many permanent employees are required to operate a data center once facility construction is complete.[Business Insider]
- It is uncertain whether the pay premium offered by data center roles will persist long term.[Business Insider]
Sources
- One chart shows how much more data center jobs pay than other gigsBusiness Insider metered