July 2026Harry Ladbury
Why Construction Professionals Are Betting Big on Texas
Is everything bigger in Texas? Well, with bigger projects and opportunities, here's why construction professionals are heading there.
If you're looking for a construction career with long-term security, bigger projects and the chance to work on some of the most exciting developments in the country, Texas should be on your radar.
From hyperscale data centers to advanced manufacturing, healthcare and energy infrastructure, the Lone Star State isn't just experiencing another construction boom, it's becoming one of the biggest long-term growth markets in the US.
With more than 6.5 GW of data center capacity currently under construction, Texas is on track to overtake Northern Virginia as the world's largest data center market by 2030.
And that growth isn't theoretical. Projects such as OpenAI's Stargate campus in Abilene, which is expected to become one of the world's largest AI infrastructure developments, alongside hyperscale expansions from Microsoft, Google, Meta and AWS across Dallas-Fort Worth and Central Texas are helping redefine the state's position as a data center destination. For professionals that means years of work across every phase of project delivery, from site development and MEP through to commissioning.
But there is also another opportunity that goes beyond data centers. Because every billion-dollar project creates demand for roads, utilities, hospitals, schools, housing and commercial developments, meaning opportunities are opening up across almost every construction discipline.
As Harry Ladbury, Associate Vice President at LVI Associates, says:
If you want a long-term career where you're going to be stacked up with work for the next 20 or 30 years, Texas right now is that place.
The boom isn't just about data centers
Data centers may dominate the headlines, but they're only the beginning.
Every new hyperscale campus needs the infrastructure to support it. Utilities have to be upgraded, roads have to be built, housing developments expanded, and hospitals, schools and retail will follow as new communities grow around major projects.
Harry explains:
With the data centers, you're building in the middle of nowhere. But the team need somewhere to live. Then your family comes in, you need schools, hospitals, and everything grows based on where the data centers are going.
For construction professionals, that means opportunities aren't limited to mission critical projects. Whether your background is in MEP, civil, healthcare, industrial, utilities or commercial construction, demand continues to grow across the state.
Discover more on the construction boom happening beyond the data center with our article by Director at LVI Associates, Martin Regan, here.
So what does that mean if you're considering your next move? It means you're not relocating for a single project. As one hyperscale campus finishes, another is breaking ground, while manufacturing facilities, healthcare developments and infrastructure upgrades continue to expand alongside them. Instead of chasing the next opportunity, many professionals are finding long-term career stability in one of the country's fastest-growing construction markets.
Construction talent is already making the move
Texas isn't just attracting investment. It is also attracting people. A lot of people.
Experienced construction professionals from California, New York, Virginia, and other established markets are relocating to take advantage of the volume of work and long-term project pipeline. As Harry summarises:
We're seeing a lot of people move from the coasts into Texas. California to Texas, New York to Texas for example. They move due to lower tax, sometimes the better weather, and way more work.
The trend extends beyond construction. In 2023, around 94,000 Californians relocated to Texas, the largest state-to-state migration flow in the US, while New York remained one of the biggest contributors to Texas' growing workforce. Although migration data isn't broken down by profession, it's a trend Ryan and Harry are seeing reflected in the construction talent market.
For many candidates, it's not simply about earning more. It's about finding a market where the next project is already waiting before the current one finishes.
Demand remains particularly strong for project managers, superintendents, MEP specialists, commissioning engineers and electrical professionals with mission-critical experience. As competition for talent intensifies, many employers are offering relocation support, per diem packages as we already alluded to, and accelerated career progression to secure experienced construction professionals.
Big opportunities often come with big rewards
Not every project sits on the doorstep of a major city.
Many of Texas' largest hyperscale developments are located in more remote areas, but employers know that attracting experienced professionals requires more than a competitive salary.
Companies are increasingly offering generous per diem packages, travel allowances and flexible rotations to make relocating or travelling worthwhile:
The way companies are attracting them is per diem. Paying them on top of their base salary every single month to travel to the middle of nowhere, essentially.
Some employers even fly employees home every weekend or offer rotational schedules that combine time on site with time working remotely.
For candidates willing to be flexible, these projects can offer both excellent earning potential and valuable experience on industry-leading developments.
More industries equals more career options
One of Texas' biggest advantages is its diversity.
While data centers continue to dominate investment, they're only one piece of the puzzle. Manufacturing, battery storage, utilities, healthcare, semiconductor facilities and industrial construction are all expanding rapidly.
That means your career doesn't have to depend on one sector or one project cycle. The breadth of work available creates opportunities to build new skills while working on projects that will shape the state's future.
Whether you're already working in mission critical construction or looking to transfer your experience into a fast-growing market, Texas offers multiple pathways for career progression.
Is now the right time to make a career move?
The construction pipeline in Texas shows no signs of slowing down.
Billions of dollars continue to flow into digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and energy projects, creating sustained demand for experienced professionals across every stage of project delivery.
For professionals, that means more choice, greater career security and the opportunity to work on some of the most complex and technically challenging projects in the country.
If you've been waiting for the right time to take the next step in your construction career, this could be it.
Ready to build your construction career in Texas?
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