Texas is in one of the tightest construction labor markets in the country, and data center work is intensifying that squeeze. Right now, there are roughly 305,000 unfilled construction positions nationally, up 36% year over year, with the industry facing a net shortage of 349,000 to 501,000 workers depending on how you measure it. Data center construction specifically is facing a 439,000-worker gap. In Texas, the pressure is acute: 52% of firms cite workforce shortages as their top operational constraint, and data center backlogs are running 11+ months. The tightest roles are project managers, superintendents, estimators, field engineers, and commissioning managers. On the positive side, Texas added nearly 25,000 construction jobs in the last year alone, leading the nation. Compensation reflects the urgency: data center trades are commanding 30-50% premiums over local medians. For senior placements (PM, estimator, superintendent level), expect base ranges from $130K, $250K+, depending on experience and scope.