Columbus has exploded as a data center market since Amazon Web Services announced a $7.8B Ohio investment centered on New Albany, adjacent to Columbus. Meta's $800M campus and dozens of colocation builds have followed. 22 active projects in 2026 span the Columbus metro — New Albany, Hilliard, and Dublin are the primary submarkets. Ohio's workforce incentives and AEP Ohio's power capacity are key drivers.
| Trade | Market Rate Range | Prevailing Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | $38–$60/hr | $64/hr (Davis-Bacon) |
| HVAC Mechanic | $36–$56/hr | $60/hr (Davis-Bacon) |
| Ironworker | $34–$54/hr | $58/hr (Davis-Bacon) |
| Pipefitter | $40–$60/hr | $64/hr (Davis-Bacon) |
| Low Voltage Tech | $32–$50/hr | $52/hr (Davis-Bacon) |
Rate ranges are estimates based on 2025–2026 market data. Actual wages vary by employer, experience, and project type. Prevailing wage applies to federally funded projects under the Davis-Bacon Act.
Ohio Contractor and Industrial Licensing Board (OCILB) issues Electrical Contractor licenses statewide. Journeyman Wireman license required for field electricians.
HVAC contractors register with OCILB. Journeyman mechanic certification for field workers via state exam.
AWS, Meta, and most Columbus data center GCs require OSHA 30 as a bid prerequisite.
Required on AWS hyperscale and Meta campus low voltage scopes in Columbus.
Standard requirement for energized work on Ohio data center campuses.
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