🏗️ Pacific Northwest

The Dalles Data Center Construction —
6 Active Projects, $3.8B Pipeline

The Dalles, Oregon hosts Google's original Pacific Northwest hyperscale campus, continuously expanded since 2006. The Columbia River Gorge provides cheap hydroelectric power (sub-$0.03/kWh), abundant cooling water, and a naturally cool climate that drives extreme PUE efficiency. 6 active construction projects in 2026 include a major new building and critical infrastructure upgrades.

6
Active Projects
$3.8B
Pipeline Investment
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Top Trades in Demand — The Dalles
Based on active permit filings and project announcements in the Pacific Northwest market as of 2026.
Electrical (HV/MV)
Very High Demand
BPA hydroelectric interconnection; large-scale UPS, battery energy storage, switchgear
HVAC / Mechanical
High Demand
Columbia River cooling; evaporative and hybrid cooling systems optimized for OR climate
Structural Steel
High Demand
New building additions to existing campus; structural upgrades to older buildings
Plumbing / Piping
High Demand
Columbia River water intake systems; cooling tower makeup, liquid cooling distribution
Low Voltage / Fiber
High Demand
Campus network expansion; submarine cable landing connectivity upgrades
Concrete / Civil
Moderate Demand
Infrastructure expansion; utility upgrades, generator pad additions
Average Hourly Rates — The Dalles
Open-shop market rate ranges plus Davis-Bacon prevailing wage where applicable on federally connected projects.
Trade Market Rate Range Prevailing Wage
Journeyman Electrician $40–$60/hr $64/hr (Davis-Bacon)
HVAC Mechanic $38–$56/hr $60/hr (Davis-Bacon)
Ironworker $38–$54/hr $58/hr (Davis-Bacon)
Pipefitter $42–$62/hr $66/hr (Davis-Bacon)
Low Voltage Tech $34–$50/hr $54/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 — OR
These licenses and certifications are required or strongly preferred by GCs and hyperscalers on The Dalles data center projects.
Oregon Electrical Contractor License (ECB) Oregon CCB / BEE

Oregon Electrical Contractors Board (ECB) license required. Separate from CCB. Journeyman Electrician license required for field work. Apply via Oregon.gov/CCB.

Oregon CCB License Oregon CCB

All Oregon contractors must hold a CCB (Construction Contractors Board) license. Required to pull permits and enter contracts.

Oregon HVAC Contractor License Oregon CCB

Specialty HVAC contractor license through Oregon CCB. Journeyman HVAC mechanic license required for field workers.

OSHA 30 — Construction OSHA

Google requires OSHA 30 for all campus personnel. Oregon also has OR-OSHA which adopts federal standards.

BICSI RCDD BICSI

Required on Google's low voltage and network infrastructure scopes.

Get Certified — The Dalles Area Training
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Frequently Asked Questions — The Dalles Data Center Work
What Oregon contractor licenses are required for data center work in The Dalles?
Oregon requires both a CCB (Construction Contractors Board) license for general contracting and a separate Electrical Contractor license from the Oregon ECB (Electrical Contractors Board). Field electricians need a state Journeyman Electrician license. All licenses apply through Oregon.gov/CCB. Google also mandates OSHA 30 for all campus personnel.
Why does Google have such a large data center in The Dalles specifically?
Three factors: cheap hydroelectric power from the Bonneville Power Administration at sub-$0.03/kWh (among the cheapest in the US), the Columbia River for evaporative cooling water, and the naturally cool Pacific Northwest climate enabling air-side economization for most of the year. This combination produces PUE values approaching 1.1 — industry-leading efficiency.
Is there enough local trades workforce to support data center construction in The Dalles?
No — The Dalles is a small city of ~16,000 and the data center campus is enormous. IBEW Local 932 coordinates labor but routinely dispatches workers from Portland and beyond. Travel pay, per diem, and premium wages are standard. Skilled electricians and pipefitters from across the Pacific Northwest travel to The Dalles for data center work.
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