West Texas Career Paths that Take Months, Not Years

Data Center Jobs Have Landed

The digital transformation is coming to West Texas—and you can be part of it! Thousands of data center jobs need local talent in the Big Empty. Whether it’s construction, tech, or energy and utilities, these jobs play a key role in today’s digital world. Plus, you’ll gain transferable skills that can open doors in other industries. There’s opportunity to build and sustain data centers—and your own growth.

Your Skills Matter

No Matter Your Passion, There’s a Place for You

Data centers power our digital world—from AI and streaming to healthcare and education systems. Every role that builds, maintains, or supports this infrastructure helps drive modern life and innovation.

Careers in this field tap into a variety of familiar skill sets—many of which are easy to learn and useful across industries. Whether you're starting fresh or bringing experience from another field, there’s a place for you in this fast-growing industry.

Whether you come from skilled trades, logistics, or IT, there’s room to grow. These roles value curiosity, problem-solving, and a hands-on mindset.

Fun fact: Texas has the second largest data center workforce in the U.S.

Your career gateway

Why Data Centers Could Be Your Next Career Move

Data centers are the backbone of the digital economy, and create seamless digital experiences and diverse career opportunities. There are jobs not only enabling data center growth, but also maintaining and staffing them.

Key Benefits Include: 


 Room to Grow & Steady Local Work:
All things digital transformation move quickly, and data centers are at the core. This means long-term growth and job security in a future-proof industry that's investing in your community. 

✅ A Place for Everyone, No Matter Your Calling: Whether you're good with your hands, a sharp planner, love tinkering with tech, or just great with people, there's a career path for you.

✅ Skill-Based Opportunities: Don't have a four-year degree? The data center industry values skills, practical experience, and a willingness to learn. There are numerous entry points and opportunities for on-the-job training and advancement.

Work That Matters: You'll be contributing to the infrastructure that underpins everything from streaming entertainment and online banking to artificial intelligence. Your work will literally be powering the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are data centers?

Data centers are specialized computer warehouses that store and move the information we use every day — keeping the internet running, powering cloud services, and securing online transactions. If you’ve ever streamed a show, checked your bank balance, or used a phone app, a data center helped make it happen.

What types of roles exists?

There are a variety of roles in the skilled trades (plumbing, electrical, construction), IT (support, software development), logistics, truck driving, operations, maintenance, manufacturing, and much more. 

Do I need to be a software engineer or coder to work in a data center?

Absolutely not! While data centers are at the cutting edge of technology, the assumption that all jobs involve complex software development or coding is a common misconception. In reality, data centers are massive, intricate facilities that require a wide range of skills, many of which you likely already possess or can easily learn. Think of them like highly advanced factories or commercial buildings – they need a diverse team to run smoothly.

Why do data centers matter for careers?

Across Texas, data centers — and their fast-growing cousin, bitcoin mines — are fueling the digital economy and creating well-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree. 60% of digital infrastructure occupations do not typically require a bachelor’s degree (Bureau of Labor Statistics). While they work in slightly different ways, both types of facilities need people to help build the sites, maintain power and cooling systems, manage IT infrastructure, and provide customer support. There are career opportunities for people with all kinds of transferable skills and backgrounds.

What if I have no experience?

That’s okay—everyone starts somewhere. Many entry-level jobs needed for data center development offer on-the-job training, so you can learn as you go. There are also short-term training programs and certifications that can help you build the skills you need, often in just a few weeks or months. Our SkillUp training catalog offers thousands - including apprenticeships that can pay you on the job!

Whether you're interested in working with your hands, supporting operations, or exploring technology, there are pathways to get started—no experience required.

Are there other locations in Texas with opportunities?

Yes. Dallas is the closest site with numerous data center opportunities. Check out the Dallas experience here.

SkillUp is Proud to Partner With Texas Flywheel

We’re proud to partner with Texas Flywheel to elevate awareness of the growing digital economy in West Texas. Together, we’re committed to expanding access to career pathways and training that will prepare thousands of workers for high-demand skilled trades and technology roles which are critical to supporting the region’s rapid Data Center development.