H5 Seattle

Seattle's broader economy runs on tech (Amazon and Microsoft headquarters anchor the region, with the cloud divisions of both based here), aerospace (Boeing's commercial assembly), retail (Starbucks, Costco, Nordstrom), and biotech (Fred Hutch, the Allen Institute). Data centers map directly onto that tech anchor — the 21,115 NAICS 518 jobs (reported) is among the largest in the country, inflated by Amazon and Microsoft headcount classified into the industry. Ten tracked facilities span Tukwila, Quincy spillover, and the Westin Building carrier hotel.

The trades wage profile is among the strongest in the country. Electricians earn $101,780 median across 9,750 workers, the highest of any major US metro and anchored by IBEW Local 46. HVAC technicians at $80,100 still pay well in absolute terms even with the gap to electricians, and the shorter apprenticeship matters in a metro where licensing timelines have real cost. The 17,790 maintenance pool earns $60,760, also above national averages.

For a trades worker, Seattle is a top-tier wage market with strong union benefits. Electricians benefit most from the wage premium, but HVAC techs and maintenance workers also earn well above national medians. The cost of living offsets part of this, but the metro remains one of the best paying choices for any trade worker considering data center work.