Science

We studied 1,584 data centers—and found the buildings full of machines are tied to modest local job growth

Source: Phys.org · Published 27 Oct 2026, 23:40

Data centers require enormous investments: land, buildings, computer equipment and power infrastructure. Yet, once they're up and running, they tend to employ no more than a few dozen people in occupations such as IT technicians, engineers and security guards. With billions of dollars flowing into new data centers across the United States, communities are asking what they will get in return.

Key points

Data centers require enormous investments: land, buildings, computer equipment and power infrastructure.
Yet, once they're up and running, they tend to employ no more than a few dozen people in occupations such as IT technicians, engineers and security guards.
With billions of dollars flowing into new data centers across the United States, communities are asking what they will get in return.

We studied 1,584 data centers—and found the buildings full of machines are tied to modest local job growth

Key points

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