BloombergNEF recently published an analysis of U.S. data center capacity that puts a spotlight on the extraordinary growth of digital infrastructure. The study reports that installed data center capacity has risen to 118 GW – a number that is 52% higher than what BNEF reported at the end of 2025. The study also projects that data center capacity will reach 194 GW by 2035 – a projection that is a stunning 83% higher than their estimate from just a few months earlier.
Most headlines about the report have focused on the power requirements of data centers at this scale, both in terms of grid demand and on-site power generation. But the growth that BloombergNEF is projecting also has major implications for the workforce challenges that our industry faces.
Our industry already faces a major skills shortage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the current shortfall of data center technicians is 340,000 in the U.S. alone due to a lack of relevant skills for these computing environments. This skills shortage is already cited by data center executives as the top workforce challenge, according to Deloitte’s 2025 AI Infrastructure Survey. Both of these statistics reflect the state of the industry before the dramatic increase in capacity growth projected in the BloombergNEF analysis above. The sheer scale of expanding digital infrastructure is going to intensify our industry’s workforce shortage.
Another factor that will compound the workforce shortage is the specialized skills required for AI computing environments. Salute’s John Shultz has been sounding the alarm on this issue, and it’s a message that every data center executive needs to hear. AI environments that utilize direct-to-chip liquid cooling require a fundamentally new operational model compared to traditional data center environments. That is because of the operational and financial risks that come when you introduce liquid into a high-density power environment. Simply put: the operational skillset from traditional data centers does not transfer to AI environments.
Because of the specialized operational skillset required for high-density data centers, the skills gap is even more intense for AI infrastructure than for traditional cloud and enterprise facilities. If the industry does not address this, it will undermine the investments that companies are making in AI infrastructure.
How can we address this growing skills gap? Salute is solving this skills gap in two important ways.
John Shultz and his team have developed the first comprehensive operations service for high-density liquid computing environments. It mitigates the operational, safety and financial risks of high-density computing by providing a proven operational model that sets organizations and their workers up for success. The service, which has been developed in close collaboration with NVIDIA, includes a rigorous training program that give data center technicians the specialized skills they need for direct-to-chip liquid cooling operations. We have already secured agreements to support more than 20 GW of AI infrastructure capacity for customers globally.
Salute is solving the skills shortage by hiring and training thousands of military veterans whose training and talents make them outstanding technicians in AI environments. We have set a goal of recruiting 10,000 military veterans, active-duty military personnel, military reserve and military spouses for data center careers through our recent partnership with UHP. And we have expanded our veteran-focused training program to achieve this bold goal.
The data center industry needs a bold vision, commitment, and focus to solve this skills shortage and train the next generation of our workforce. Salute is proud to be playing an important role in solving it — continuing to invest in the veteran community, as we have done since our founding, and providing the operational model, training and staffing that are indispensable to the successful growth of AI.
If you are a veteran, transitioning service member, or military spouse looking for a career with real purpose and growth potential, Salute wants to hear from you. Explore open roles and our veteran training pathway, or connect with us through DOW SkillBridge to start your transition into a data center career.
Learn more about the Salute Military Community Pathway, including the DoW SkillBridge Program, and how we’re helping veterans transition into careers in data center operations.
Explore the Military Community Pathway