Data center employment booming in Oregon
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Data center jobs in Oregon have seen massive growth since 2018, with more than 8,000 employed in the industry statewide as of last year, per Census Bureau data.
Why it matters: Companies, investors and government are pouring tons of money and resources into data centers to help power AI and other new technologies, but there's debate over how many jobs they'll create and whether they're worth the energy required to run them.
By the numbers: Among states, Oregon saw the 14th biggest increase in data center jobs between the first quarters of 2018 and 2024, with nearly 70% growth in the sector, per the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Workforce Indicators.
- Those numbers include data centers as well as web hosting and a few other related fields.
Reality check: Data center jobs still make up a sliver of U.S. employment overall.
- The 452,000 data center jobs nationwide last year constituted less than a half a percent of all private sector jobs at the time.
Zoom in: Some of the biggest names in tech — Apple, Google, Meta and Amazon — all run large data centers in eastern and central Oregon.
Yes, but: The amount of electricity it takes to power these data centers is immense — and expected to grow.
- The advanced computers needed to power AI already use roughly 10% of electricity statewide in Oregon, with experts estimating that figure could double by 2030.
- Amazon has announced it will partner with some utilities in southeastern Washington to power its data centers in Oregon's Umatilla and Morrow counties using small modular nuclear reactors.
State of play: Oregon's data centers also enjoy sizable tax breaks originally crafted in the 1980s to lure businesses to rural communities.
- Collectively, the tax breaks amount to hundreds of millions in savings for the companies each year.
The bottom line: Growth in data centers is showing no signs of slowing, with new centers planned in places like Forest Grove and expansions planned for other existing facilities.