Insights
Field notes on data center hiring
Salary data, career paths, and hiring tactics across the 10-phase delivery lifecycle. Written by recruiters who work these roles every day.
From the field
Decisions grounded in the work
Our research connects labor-market data with what builders, operators, and candidates are experiencing on real programs.
July 21, 2026 · 4 min read
The 2026 data center jobs outlook, in six numbers
Six figures from the iRecruit 2026 outlook that explain where data center hiring is headed, and what each one means for candidates and employers.
July 14, 2026 · 4 min read
How to hire commissioning agents when everyone is hiring them
Cx is the bottleneck phase of data center delivery. What realistic time-to-fill looks like, what makes an offer competitive, and when contract beats direct hire.
July 7, 2026 · 4 min read
What data center work pays, phase by phase
A tour of the 10-phase delivery lifecycle from proposal to operations, with real 2026 salary anchors and an explanation of why some phases pay a premium.
June 30, 2026 · 4 min read
Northern Virginia or the emerging metros: where should you work?
Established markets offer pipeline depth and clearance work. Emerging metros offer per diem travel pay and faster advancement. How to pick.
June 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Five certifications that actually move data center pay
OSHA 30, NFPA 70E, the PE license, CxA, and NICET: what each one is, who needs it, and an honest read on effort versus payoff.
June 16, 2026 · 4 min read
From field tech to Cx authority: the commissioning career path
The five stages of a commissioning career, what each pays, and the certifications that move you between them.