What Are Data Centers in Construction?
A data center is a specialized facility designed to house critical IT infrastructure, including servers, storage systems, networking equipment, and supporting technologies that enable organizations to store, process, and distribute digital information.
From cloud computing and artificial intelligence to online banking and streaming services, data centers form the foundation of today’s digital economy. In the United States, home to the world’s largest concentration of hyperscale capacity, every website, application, and digital transaction relies on data centers to operate efficiently and securely.
In construction, data centers are considered mission-critical facilities because they must operate continuously with minimal downtime. Unlike traditional commercial buildings, data centers require highly specialized infrastructure to ensure reliability, security, and performance.
Key components of a data center include:
- Power distribution systems
- Backup generators
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems
- Advanced cooling and HVAC systems
- Fire detection and suppression systems
- Security and access control systems
- Network and telecommunications infrastructure
Because of their complexity, data center projects require collaboration between architects, engineers, contractors, commissioning specialists, and construction professionals throughout every phase of development.
The US Data Centre Construction Market in 2026
The United States is the engine room of global data center construction. The US data center market was valued at roughly $135 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach close to $393 billion by 2035, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of around 11%. North America accounts for roughly 41% of the entire global market, and projections suggest the US will capture about 40% of worldwide data-center investment by 2030.
This surge is driven overwhelmingly by artificial intelligence. The big four hyperscalers, Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta, planned to invest more than $350 billion in data centers in 2025 and around $400 billion in 2026. Across the Americas, more than 25 GW of capacity was under construction by late 2025, with pre-commitment rates approaching 89% and vacancy near a historic low of 4.2%. In short, much new construction is leased before it is even finished.
Geographically, the market is concentrated yet rapidly broadening. Northern Virginia, known as “Data Center Alley”, remains the world’s most important hub, hosting more than 600 facilities and leading all US markets for net absorption in 2025. Texas is expanding so quickly that, viewed as a single market, it could overtake Northern Virginia by 2030, supported by abundant land, energy resources, and a business-friendly environment. Frontier markets such as West Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana are also capturing a growing share of hyperscale development as power availability and land become the decisive factors in site selection.
Two themes now shape every US data center project: power and people. Grid interconnection delays have made on-site generation, batteries, and bring-your-own-power strategies routine, and at least 36 states now offer targeted incentives to attract AI infrastructure. At the same time, a shortage of skilled construction and engineering talent remains one of the industry’s biggest constraints, making experienced contractors and workforce partners more valuable than ever.
What are the Leading Data Centre Construction Companies in the USA?
The US data center construction industry is supported by a select group of contractors with extensive experience delivering mission-critical facilities across the country. These companies specialize in building highly resilient environments that support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, financial services, telecommunications, and enterprise operations — from the hyperscale campuses of Northern Virginia and Texas to emerging markets in the Midwest and Sun Belt.
Turner Construction Company
Turner Construction is one of the largest construction firms in North America and has delivered numerous hyperscale and enterprise data center projects. The company is known for managing large-scale developments that require complex electrical and mechanical infrastructure while maintaining strict project schedules.
CEO: Peter Davoren
Founded: 1902
Location: North America
Quick Fact: Turner completes approximately $20 billion worth of construction projects annually across around 1,500 projects.
DPR Construction
DPR Construction has established itself as a leading contractor within the mission-critical sector. The company works closely with technology firms, cloud providers, and colocation operators to deliver highly technical facilities that prioritize reliability, energy efficiency, and operational uptime.
CEO: George Pfeffer
Founded: 1990
Location: Redwood City, California, United States
Holder Construction
Holder Construction has a strong reputation for delivering large data center campuses and mission-critical facilities across the United States. The company frequently partners with some of the world’s largest technology organizations on complex infrastructure projects.
CEO: Beth Lowry (President & CEO)
Founded: 1960
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
JE Dunn Construction
JE Dunn Construction provides comprehensive construction services for data centers, including pre-construction planning, project management, commissioning support, and facility delivery. Their experience spans enterprise, colocation, and hyperscale environments.
CEO: Gordon Lansford (President & CEO)
Founded: 1924
Location: Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Mortenson
Mortenson has become a significant player in the mission-critical construction market. The company combines expertise in engineering, procurement, and construction management to support data center developments across multiple regions.
CEO: Derek Cunz (President & CEO)
Founded: 1954
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Skanska
Skanska is a global construction and development company involved in large-scale infrastructure and mission-critical projects. Through Skanska USA, it has a substantial American presence and delivers data center projects across the country. Its focus on sustainability and innovative building practices has made it a trusted partner for many US data center developments.
CEO: Anders Danielsson (President & CEO)
Founded: 1887
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
AECOM
AECOM provides design, engineering, consulting, and program management services for data center projects. The company supports clients throughout the entire project lifecycle, from planning and site selection to construction and commissioning.
CEO: Troy Rudd (Chairman & CEO)
Founded: 1990
Location: Dallas, Texas, United States
Jacobs
Jacobs delivers engineering, design, and project management services for mission-critical facilities. Their expertise helps organizations develop data centers that meet growing demands for performance, security, and sustainability.
CEO: Bob Pragada
Founded: 1947
Location: Dallas, Texas, United States
What Services Do Data Centre Construction Companies Provide?
Most leading data center construction companies offer a range of services, including:
Design and Pre-Construction Planning
Teams assess site suitability, power availability, cooling requirements, and project feasibility before construction begins.
General Contracting
Managing project schedules, subcontractors, procurement, safety compliance, and quality control throughout the build process.
Electrical Construction
Installing high-voltage systems, backup generators, switchgear, UPS systems, and power distribution networks.
Mechanical Construction
Delivering HVAC systems, cooling infrastructure, piping networks, and environmental controls required for mission-critical operations.
Commissioning and Testing
Ensuring all systems operate efficiently before the facility becomes operational.
What Roles Are Most In Demand in Data Centre Construction?
The rapid expansion of data center projects across the United States has created strong demand for skilled professionals across construction and engineering disciplines.
Common roles include:
- Project Managers
- Project Engineers
- Superintendents
- Estimators
- BIM Specialists
- Safety Professionals
- Project Schedulers
- Electrical Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Commissioning Managers
These positions play a critical role in ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget. WRS actively supports clients in sourcing specialist construction professionals for mission-critical projects across the USA.
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Conclusion
Data center construction companies play a vital role in supporting the digital infrastructure that powers modern businesses, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and online services. As US demand for data processing and storage continues to surge, led by record AI investment from hyperscalers, organizations are investing heavily in mission-critical facilities that require specialized construction expertise, advanced engineering capabilities, and highly skilled workforces. From the hyperscale campuses of Northern Virginia and Texas to fast-growing frontier markets in the Midwest and Sun Belt, successful project delivery depends on experienced contractors, innovative construction methods, and access to top talent. As the industry evolves, US companies that prioritize technical excellence, sustainability, reliable power, and workforce planning will be best positioned to meet the growing demands of the digital economy.
Key Takeaways
- Data centers are mission-critical facilities designed to store, process, and distribute digital information.
- Growing adoption of cloud computing, AI, and digital transformation is driving significant investment in US data center construction, with the market projected to grow from around $135 billion in 2025 toward $393 billion by 2035.
- Leading data center construction companies specialize in complex electrical, mechanical, cooling, and power infrastructure systems.
- Common types of data centers include enterprise, colocation, hyperscale, and edge facilities.
- Major contractors in the US sector include Turner Construction, DPR Construction, Holder Construction, JE Dunn Construction, Mortenson, and Skanska USA.
- Workforce shortages remain one of the biggest challenges facing the data center construction industry.
- In-demand roles include project managers, project engineers, superintendents, estimators, BIM specialists, and commissioning managers.
- Recruitment and workforce solutions play a critical role in helping contractors secure skilled professionals and maintain project schedules.
- Sustainability, energy efficiency, and reliable power infrastructure are becoming increasingly important considerations in data center development.
- The long-term outlook for US data center construction remains strong, with Northern Virginia and Texas leading and frontier markets in the Midwest and Sun Belt expanding rapidly as demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the biggest builders of data centers in the US?
Some of the largest data center builders in the United States include Turner Construction Company, DPR Construction, Holder Construction, JE Dunn Construction, Mortenson, and Skanska. These companies deliver hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data centers for major technology and cloud providers across the country.
What is the largest data center in the US under construction?
The Stargate campus in Abilene, Texas, backed by OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, is among the largest AI-focused data center developments, with plans to scale beyond 1 GW in its initial phases.
Who are the big 5 in data centers?
The “Big 5” data center operators are typically considered to be Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft (Azure), Google (Google Cloud), Meta, and Oracle. These companies own and operate some of the world’s largest hyperscale data center networks.
About the Author
Apurva Agrawal is an SEO Specialist at Worldwide Recruitment Solutions (WRS), with three years of experience driving digital growth and visibility within the global recruitment sector.
This guide was developed in collaboration with and verified by Melissa Walsh, Marketing and Brand Manager at WRS, ensuring that all workforce data and service methodologies reflect WRS’s global standards and positioning.
