Industrial construction site in the Southeast with steel framing, cranes, and skilled tradespeople at work
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The Southeast Trades Boom: Why NC, SC, and Tennessee Are the Best Places to Launch a Trade Career in 2026

Toyota's $14B battery plant, Scout Motors' EV factory, Oracle's Nashville campus, and billions in data center construction are creating an acute skilled trades shortage across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Here's who's hiring and what they're paying.

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A data-driven guide for prospective trade students in the Carolinas, Tennessee, and anyone willing to relocate to one of the fastest-growing industrial regions in the country.

TL;DR: North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee are in the middle of an industrial investment wave unlike anything the South has seen in decades. A $13.9 billion Toyota battery plant in Liberty, NC. A $2 billion Scout Motors EV factory under construction in Blythewood, SC. Oracle’s $1.2 billion Nashville headquarters commitment. Amazon’s $10 billion data center campus in Richmond County, NC. These aren’t future plans — they’re active construction sites and operating facilities right now, and every one of them has created a compounding demand for electricians, HVAC technicians, pipefitters, welders, and construction workers that the region’s workforce simply cannot yet fill. The ABC reports the construction industry needs 349,000 net new workers nationally in 2026. In the Charlotte–Raleigh–Nashville corridor, that shortfall is felt on every job site. If you’re considering a trade career, the Southeast triangle of NC, SC, and TN may be the single most compelling region in the country to start one.

Why NC, SC, and Tennessee together form a new industrial corridor

This isn’t a story about one state getting lucky with a big factory announcement. What’s happening across the Carolinas and Tennessee is a coordinated, multi-sector investment wave with roots in five structural trends that reinforce each other.

Manufacturing reshoring. After decades of offshoring, the EV revolution and federal incentives under the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act are pulling advanced manufacturing back to the U.S. — and the Southeast is winning a disproportionate share of it, thanks to competitive tax structures, available land, right-to-work labor laws, and existing automotive supply chains.

Tech and AI infrastructure build-out. Data centers have become America’s most capital-intensive construction category. Cloud providers — Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta — are racing to build capacity for AI workloads, and the Piedmont region of the Carolinas along with the Nashville metro have emerged as major buildout zones, offering abundant land, moderate energy costs, and favorable regulatory environments.

Population-driven construction demand. The Charlotte and Raleigh metros are among the fastest-growing in the country. Charlotte added 69,000 residents between 2020 and 2024, ranking 4th nationally for population increase, according to the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management. Nashville’s Davidson County remained the fastest-growing county in Tennessee in 2025, according to U.S. Census data reported by Axios. Every new resident is a new demand signal for housing construction, commercial development, and infrastructure — all trades-intensive work.

An aging workforce. Across the Southeast, as across the country, the skilled trades are losing experienced workers faster than the pipeline can replace them. The Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee reports that one in four skilled tradespeople is expected to retire by 2030, and for every five workers leaving, only two are entering the field.

Training infrastructure already in place. All three states have strong community and technical college systems specifically designed to move students into trade careers in 12 to 24 months — often with industry partnerships that deliver paid on-the-job experience alongside classroom training.

The result is a region where trained tradespeople can choose their employer, command rising wages, and build careers in one of the most dynamic economic corridors in the country.

The anchor investments driving trades demand

Toyota Battery Manufacturing — Liberty, North Carolina

The most transformative single investment in the region is Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina in Liberty, in Randolph County. The plant — Toyota’s first battery manufacturing facility in the U.S. — represents a $13.9 billion investment and has created over 5,100 direct jobs, according to Toyota’s press releases confirmed by CNBC’s November 2025 reporting on the facility’s opening.

The facility, sitting on a 1,850-acre site, has 14 battery production lines supporting both hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The scale matters for trades workers: a facility this size requires ongoing maintenance crews for electrical systems, HVAC, piping, and automated equipment — positions that don’t disappear after the construction phase ends. The Triad region is now discussing the possibility of additional Toyota manufacturing capacity on the remaining half of the site.

For trade schools in North Carolina, this investment represents a generational anchor employer — a major manufacturer that will be drawing skilled talent from the Piedmont region for decades.

Scout Motors — Blythewood, South Carolina

Forty-five miles north of Columbia, a Volkswagen-backed startup called Scout Motors is building what will be a $2 billion electric vehicle production center in Blythewood, Richland County. The plant is designed to produce 200,000 vehicles annually at full capacity, employing 4,000 workers, with an additional 1,000 jobs expected from on-site supplier buildings.

As of February 2026, Scout was actively recruiting assembly line workers, with the Blythewood Online reporting that initial manufacturing positions pay between $30 and $37.50 per hour based on experience. The company is also hiring with no prior factory experience required for some roles — a relatively unusual move that signals how acute the regional workforce shortage has become.

Test vehicles are expected off the production line by the end of 2026, with first customer deliveries targeted for 2027. This means the construction and commissioning phase is still underway, creating immediate demand for electricians, welders, and pipefitters on site — even as the factory simultaneously begins staffing for production.

Trade schools in South Carolina that have partnerships with Ready SC — the state’s pre-employment training program administered through the technical college system — are already working with Scout Motors to build a workforce pipeline.

Oracle’s Nashville Campus

Oracle’s move from Austin to Nashville as its U.S. headquarters brought a $1.2 billion commitment and a target of 8,500 jobs by 2031, according to a CIO Leaders analysis. Tennessee provided $65 million in economic development incentives plus 50% property tax relief to secure the deal. The campus will anchor a broader East Bank redevelopment of the Cumberland River waterfront — a mixed-use district that itself represents hundreds of millions in additional construction activity.

The Oracle investment accelerated Nashville’s emergence as a major tech hub, which has in turn driven demand for both data center infrastructure and commercial construction. Data center projects in the Nashville metro have proliferated alongside Oracle’s build-out, multiplying the demand for mission-critical electrical and mechanical contractors.

Data Center Construction Wave — Across All Three States

If you follow the electrician job boards in the Carolinas and Tennessee right now, you’ll see one category dominating: data center work.

In North Carolina alone, the scale of data center investment is staggering. Amazon Web Services has committed $10 billion to a Richmond County campus covering 1,200 acres with 20 buildings totaling 3.7 million square feet, according to ABC Carolinas. Google has invested over $1.2 billion in its Lenoir campus. Microsoft, after a delay, resumed construction on a $1 billion data center project in Catawba County near Charlotte. Apple has expanded its Maiden campus with a $175 million addition. The state’s current data center capacity sits around 3 gigawatts and is projected to nearly double to 6 GW within the decade.

South Carolina has seen similar momentum, including a $1 billion Facebook data center in Gallatin — just outside Nashville — in the greater regional footprint. ABC Carolinas’ workforce tracking specifically calls out medium-voltage electricians, HVAC/refrigeration specialists, and pipefitters as the trades most critically needed to support data center construction.

“[The skilled trades shortage] is a nationwide workforce crisis affecting construction, manufacturing, data centers, and electrification projects,” the ABC Greater Tennessee wrote in a 2025 workforce analysis. The region is at the epicenter.

Top trades in highest demand

Electricians — $62,350 national median (May 2024)

Electricians are the most universally demanded trade across all three states, driven by the EV manufacturing buildout, data center construction, population-driven residential and commercial development, and grid modernization.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median of $62,350 for electricians in May 2024, with projected employment growth of 9.5% through 2034 — well above average. Data center projects in particular command a premium: medium-voltage electricians working on mission-critical facilities routinely earn significantly above median rates, and the ABC Carolinas notes that data center electrical work is among the highest-paying construction specializations in the region.

The path to journeyman electrician status typically runs through a 4–5 year registered apprenticeship combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction at a program like electrical technology. In North Carolina, the NC Community College System’s ApprenticeshipNC program connects aspiring electricians with registered apprenticeship slots at employers throughout the state.

HVAC Technicians — $59,810 national median (May 2024)

HVAC technicians are in acute demand across all three states, driven by three simultaneous forces: residential construction creating new-installation work, commercial development requiring large-scale HVAC systems, and data centers — which require enormous cooling infrastructure — creating specialized demand for refrigeration-certified technicians.

The BLS reports a national median of $59,810 for HVAC mechanics and installers as of May 2024, with projected growth of 8.1%. In the Southeast, where summer heat extends the maintenance season and new construction is relentless, HVAC technicians with commercial and industrial experience command salaries at the upper end of that range.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) system is particularly strong on HVAC training, with campuses offering certificate and diploma programs of 12 to 24 months in length. Tennessee trade schools in the TCAT network explicitly market their programs as “career in a year” tracks — an accurate description of the timeline from enrollment to job-ready credential.

Pipefitters and Plumbers — $62,970 national median (May 2024)

Pipefitters and plumbers are critical in both the manufacturing buildout and the data center construction wave. Industrial manufacturing facilities like the Toyota battery plant and Scout Motors EV factory require extensive process piping, cooling water systems, fire suppression, and compressed air systems — all the domain of pipefitters. Data centers require chilled water cooling loops and extensive mechanical infrastructure.

The BLS reports a national median of $62,970 for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters as of May 2024. ABC Carolinas specifically lists pipefitters as one of the trades most critically affected by the current labor shortage in the Carolinas.

Welders — $51,000 national median (May 2024)

Welding is the gateway trade into manufacturing in the Southeast, and the scale of new industrial construction has made certified welders highly sought. EV manufacturing facilities require welders for structural steel, body shop work, and equipment installation. Data centers need ironworkers and structural welders during construction phases.

The BLS reports a national median of $51,000 for welders as of May 2024. Certified welders with pipe welding credentials (6G position) or structural certifications can earn substantially above the median, particularly on industrial and construction projects.

Welding programs at community and technical colleges across all three states typically run 12 to 18 months to an entry-level credential, with advanced certifications achievable through additional coursework and industry testing.

Training infrastructure: Community colleges and technical schools in all three states

One of the region’s genuine advantages for aspiring tradespeople is the strength and accessibility of its technical college systems.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)

The TCAT system operates 27 campuses across Tennessee, explicitly designed around the principle of “career in a year.” TCAT programs in electrical technology, HVAC, welding, plumbing, and industrial maintenance are structured to move students from enrollment to job-ready in 12 to 24 months. Programs are generally low-cost relative to four-year alternatives, and the system has deep ties to regional employers including manufacturing facilities and construction contractors.

The TCAT system, in partnership with the ABC Greater Tennessee chapter, offers NCCER-based apprenticeship training with earn-while-you-learn structures — a critical option for students who cannot leave the workforce to train full-time.

ApprenticeshipNC — NC Community College System

North Carolina’s ApprenticeshipNC program, administered through the NC Community College System, connects employers with registered apprenticeship candidates. Apprentices earn wages from day one, receive on-the-job training from journeyman mentors, and complete related classroom instruction at a local community college. The program covers electrical, HVAC, carpentry, sheet metal, and maintenance apprenticeships, among others.

Apprenticeship Carolina — SC Technical College System

South Carolina’s Apprenticeship Carolina program, operated through the SC Technical College System, has been widely recognized as a national model for employer-driven apprenticeship. The SC Technical College System offers 74 degrees, 19 diplomas, and over 900 certificate programs, with a specific emphasis on high-demand, high-paying fields. Ready SC, the system’s pre-employment training arm, has already engaged with Scout Motors to begin building workforce pipelines for the Blythewood facility.

Right-to-work context: What it means for trades workers in the Southeast

North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee are all right-to-work states, which means workers cannot be required to join a union as a condition of employment. In practice, this shapes the trades labor market in a few specific ways:

Union density in the Southeast is lower than in the Midwest or Northeast. The IBEW, UA (plumbers/pipefitters), and other international trade unions have a presence, but union halls are not the primary gateway to apprenticeship and employment in this region the way they are in, say, Chicago or New York.

This matters for prospective students in a few concrete ways. First, the dominant pathway to apprenticeship here runs through employer-sponsored programs, state apprenticeship systems (ApprenticeshipNC, Apprenticeship Carolina), and independent training organizations like NCCER — not through union hiring halls. Second, wages are set by market forces and individual employer policy rather than collectively bargained wage scales, which means pay can vary more widely across employers. Third, the right-to-work environment has been a factor in attracting major manufacturers to the region — which in turn is driving the very investment wave creating these job opportunities.

For workers who want union membership, the IBEW and UA do have active locals in the major metros, and union data center contractors are active on some of the larger projects. But non-union and merit-shop employment is the majority of the market.

City breakdown: Where the opportunities concentrate

Charlotte, NC

Charlotte is the financial hub of the Southeast and the largest city in the Carolinas. It is also one of the fastest-growing construction markets in the country. Amazon’s $10 billion Richmond County data center — about two hours east — is anchoring a broader industrial build-out in the region, while Charlotte proper continues adding commercial office, mixed-use, and residential projects at a pace that keeps electricians, HVAC techs, and plumbers consistently in demand. Microsoft’s $1 billion data center project in Catawba County (30 miles northwest of Charlotte) is another major employment anchor.

Raleigh/Durham, NC

The Research Triangle region has some of the highest construction permit activity per capita of any major metro in the Southeast. Raleigh has been growing at a 3.8% annual job growth rate (per MoveZen360’s five-year analysis), with residential and commercial construction tracking population growth closely. The Toyota battery plant in Liberty is about 45 minutes west of the Research Triangle, making Raleigh and Greensboro a natural labor shed for the facility.

Greenville, SC

Greenville has been one of the quietly remarkable manufacturing corridors in the country for 20+ years, anchored by BMW’s Spartanburg plant and a dense network of automotive tier suppliers. Scout Motors in Blythewood is 90 minutes south, and the entire Upstate SC region has deep vocational training infrastructure through Greenville Technical College, Spartanburg Community College, and the broader SC Technical College System.

Nashville, TN

Nashville’s Davidson County is the fastest-growing county in Tennessee, and the construction pipeline reflects it. Oracle’s East Bank campus, a $1 billion Facebook data center in the broader Nashville metro, and relentless commercial and residential development are collectively generating demand for electricians, HVAC technicians, pipefitters, and welders that outpaces local supply. ABC Greater Tennessee has been direct about the severity of the shortage: 500,000+ unfilled skilled trades positions nationally in 2026, with Tennessee experiencing the crisis acutely.

Cost of living advantage: Rising wages, moderate costs

One of the practical advantages of the Southeast for trade workers is the combination of rising wages and a cost of living that remains substantially below coastal markets.

Housing costs in Charlotte, Raleigh, Nashville, and Greenville are all below San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, or Boston — often by 40–60%. While costs have risen as population has grown, a journeyman electrician earning $28–35 per hour in Nashville retains substantially more purchasing power than the same worker in San Jose, even if nominal wages are somewhat lower.

North Carolina and Tennessee have relatively modest income tax rates, and South Carolina has a graduated income tax with lower rates than most northeastern states. None of the three states carry the fiscal burden of California or New York.

The ABC Greater Tennessee notes that average weekly earnings in the trades have increased approximately 20% year over year in the region — reflecting both the labor shortage driving wages up and the premium that manufacturers and data center builders are paying to attract and retain skilled workers. Entry-level trade helpers in the region are starting at $18–22 per hour, with journeymen reaching $28–35 per hour within 4–5 years.

How to get started

If you’re a prospective student in NC, SC, or Tennessee — or considering relocation from elsewhere — here’s a practical starting sequence:

1. Identify your trade. Electricians and HVAC techs are the highest-demand trades in the current Southeast market. Pipefitters and welders are critical for the manufacturing sector. Choose based on your aptitude, physical fit, and local opportunity concentration.

2. Contact your state’s training system directly. For Tennessee, start with the TCAT campus network. For North Carolina, explore ApprenticeshipNC through the community college system. For South Carolina, contact the SC Technical College System or a local technical college — Greenville Technical College and Midlands Technical College both have strong trades programs.

3. Look for earn-while-you-learn programs. Registered apprenticeships pay wages from day one and are the fastest, most financially sustainable path to journeyman status. In all three states, these are available through employer-sponsored programs tied to the community and technical college networks.

4. Consider proximity to anchor investments. If you want to be near the highest-demand construction activity right now, the Liberty/Greensboro/Raleigh corridor in NC and the Columbia/Greenville corridor in SC are where the manufacturing investment is densest. In Tennessee, Nashville’s East Bank redevelopment and the broader Middle Tennessee industrial corridor are the hot zones.

5. Get your certifications lined up. OSHA 10 (then OSHA 30) is the baseline for construction site employment. For electricians, your state license exam is the long-term credential. For HVAC, the EPA 608 refrigerant certification opens commercial and industrial work. For welders, AWS D1.1 structural certification and 6G pipe certifications dramatically expand your options and pay rate.

The Southeast trades market is not a temporary boom. The investments anchoring it — a $14 billion battery plant, a $2 billion EV factory, a decade-long Oracle campus build, and a data center infrastructure wave measured in gigawatts — are generational assets that will require skilled workers for maintenance, expansion, and operation long after the initial construction phase ends. The question is whether enough trained tradespeople will be in the pipeline to meet that demand. Right now, the answer is clearly no — which means the opportunity for those who start training today is real, substantial, and durable.

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