🏗️ South Texas

San Antonio Data Center Construction —
14 Active Projects, $9.2B Pipeline

San Antonio has emerged as a major hyperscale destination, led by Microsoft's massive $3B+ campus investment along US-281. CPS Energy's stable grid, lower land costs vs. Austin/Dallas, and proximity to fiber corridors have accelerated expansion. 14 active projects in 2026 include two multi-building Microsoft campuses and multiple colocation builds.

14
Active Projects
$9.2B
Pipeline Investment
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Top Trades in Demand — San Antonio
Based on active permit filings and project announcements in the South Texas market as of 2026.
Electrical (HV/MV)
Very High Demand
CPS Energy interconnection; 138kV substation work, massive UPS and generator farms
HVAC / Mechanical
Very High Demand
Adiabatic and chilled water systems; Texas climate requires robust economization design
Structural Steel
High Demand
Microsoft campus shell-and-core buildings; multi-phase erection packages
Concrete / Civil
High Demand
Large site work: utility corridors, retaining structures, generator pads
Plumbing / Piping
High Demand
Campus chilled water distribution; cooling tower makeup water systems
Low Voltage / BMS
High Demand
Campus-wide DCIM, security, and building automation integration
Average Hourly Rates — San Antonio
Open-shop market rate ranges plus Davis-Bacon prevailing wage where applicable on federally connected projects.
Trade Market Rate Range Prevailing Wage
Journeyman Electrician $36–$56/hr $58/hr (Davis-Bacon)
HVAC Mechanic $34–$52/hr $54/hr (Davis-Bacon)
Ironworker $34–$50/hr $55/hr (Davis-Bacon)
Pipefitter $38–$58/hr $60/hr (Davis-Bacon)
Low Voltage Tech $30–$48/hr $50/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.

Required Certifications for Data Center Work — TX
These licenses and certifications are required or strongly preferred by GCs and hyperscalers on San Antonio data center projects.
Texas Electrical Contractor License TDLR

Same Texas-wide requirement: TDLR Journeyman + Master Electrician. Apply at tdlr.texas.gov.

Texas HVAC License (Class A) TDLR

Required for commercial HVAC systems in San Antonio. Class A for 25+ ton systems.

OSHA 30 — Construction OSHA

Required on Microsoft campus and most hyperscale projects. Online or in-person.

BICSI RCDD BICSI

Specified on Microsoft and colocation low voltage scopes. Critical credential for lead roles.

Texas RMP (Registered Master Plumber) TSBPE

Required to oversee plumbing/piping work on Texas commercial projects.

Get Certified — San Antonio Area Training
Local and online programs to build the certifications required to work on data center construction projects in the South Texas market.

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Frequently Asked Questions — San Antonio Data Center Work
What data center projects are under construction in San Antonio?
Microsoft's multi-campus expansion along US-281 is the anchor project, with individual buildings in the 150–400MW range. CyrusOne and QTS have active builds as well. As of 2026, 14 projects are in active construction with permits issued for an additional $4B+ in the pipeline.
Do San Antonio data center projects pay well for trades?
Yes, and demand exceeds local supply. Electricians are being imported from Austin, Houston, and DFW on a per diem basis. Journeyman electricians earn $36–$56/hr; with overtime on 60+ hour weeks, total annual compensation often exceeds $90K. HVAC mechanics with data center cooling experience command $50–$60/hr on hyperscale builds.
What certifications give you an edge on San Antonio data center bids?
BICSI RCDD for low voltage, NFPA 70E for electrical, and OSHA 30 are the top three. Contractors with TX Master Electrician licenses and data center startup/commissioning experience are in highest demand. Uptime Institute ATD is a bonus on Tier III+ specs.
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