Sep 2, 2026 – 6.08pmData centres in Sydney and Melbourne are offering overtime-pay-fuelled $200,000 incomes for electricians with just two years’ experience, eclipsing the average $80,000 salary for early-career accountants, lawyers or teachers.The artificial intelligence boom, the largest capital investment shift in generations, is driving an unprecedented demand for skilled trades. Like the energy transition and mining boom before it, the AI gold rush is hoovering up talent across the spectrum, from investment bankers to sparkies.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles