We pulled compensation data from over 1,200 placements across every major data center market in the U.S. to build the most comprehensive salary guide in the industry. Whether you're a candidate evaluating an offer or an employer trying to stay competitive, these are the numbers that matter in 2026.
Project Manager
Base Salary: $130,000 – $175,000
Bonus: 10-20% annual
Total Comp: $145,000 – $210,000
Project managers with hyperscale data center experience are the most sought-after professionals in construction. Candidates with 10+ years and ground-up Tier III/IV builds routinely clear $170K base. PMs managing multiple concurrent builds for the same client can negotiate above $200K total compensation. Certification from PMI (PMP) adds $10K-$15K in market value.
QA/QC Inspector
Base Salary: $80,000 – $140,000
Bonus: 5-10%
Total Comp: $84,000 – $154,000
QA/QC inspectors who can manage quality programs on hyperscale builds are arguably the scarcest talent in the industry. Northern Virginia commands the highest premiums (+15% over national averages), followed by Phoenix (+10%).
Commissioning Agent (CxA)
Base Salary: $110,000 – $155,000
Bonus: 5-15%
Total Comp: $115,000 – $178,000
Demand for qualified CxAs has driven salaries up 12% year-over-year. Candidates with BCxA certification and Tier III+ experience are seeing multiple competing offers. Travel requirements (often 75%+) justify significant per diem and travel allowances on top of base salary.
MEP Engineer
Base Salary: $105,000 – $145,000
Bonus: 5-10%
Total Comp: $110,000 – $160,000
MEP engineers with data center-specific experience (critical power, precision cooling, fire suppression) command significantly higher salaries than those in commercial construction. ASHRAE membership and relevant PE licensure add measurable value. Engineers from programs like Penn State Architectural Engineering and Virginia Tech ME are highly recruited.
Controls Engineer
Base Salary: $95,000 – $135,000
Total Comp: $100,000 – $150,000
Controls engineers who can program BMS/EPMS systems (Schneider, Siemens, Honeywell) and commission complex sequences of operation are in extremely short supply. This role has seen the fastest salary growth of any position — up 15% year-over-year in primary markets.
Estimator
Base Salary: $100,000 – $140,000
Total Comp: $105,000 – $155,000
Data center estimators need to understand the complexity of critical infrastructure — redundant systems, specialized equipment, and rigorous testing requirements that inflate costs well beyond conventional commercial construction. Experienced estimators who can accurately price hyperscale bids are increasingly valuable to GCs competing for repeat client work.
Safety Manager
Base Salary: $90,000 – $120,000
Total Comp: $95,000 – $135,000
Safety managers on data center sites need to understand both construction safety and the specific hazards of energized equipment, arc flash, and confined spaces. OSHA 30 certification is table stakes; CSP or CHST credentials command premium compensation.
BIM Coordinator
Base Salary: $85,000 – $115,000
Total Comp: $90,000 – $125,000
As data center MEP systems become more complex, BIM coordination is critical for clash detection and installation sequencing. Coordinators with Revit expertise and data center-specific model libraries are in growing demand.
Market Premiums
Not all markets pay the same. Here are the premiums (above national average) for the top data center construction markets:
- Northern Virginia: +15%
- Phoenix, AZ: +10%
- Dallas-Fort Worth: +8%
- Columbus, OH: +5%
- Chicago, IL: +7%
Year-Over-Year Trends
Across all roles, data center construction salaries increased 8-12% in 2025-2026. Retention bonuses ($15K-$40K for committing to a project through completion) have become standard for senior roles. Per diem rates continue to climb as travel becomes a requirement for more positions.
Want to benchmark your comp or your offers? Talk to Data Center TALNT — we place 100+ professionals per quarter and have the most current market data in the industry.
