#1Santa Teresa, NM · Vertical / MEP
Pay$65-$70/hr
Per diem$140-$190/day
Schedule6x12s (72 hrs/wk)
Top pay on the board. About 2,100 workers were on site at the end of June.
Stay in Sunland Park about 15 min · West El Paso about 20 min · Las Cruces about 40 min
Left after a room $27 to $77/day of per diem, after a room at the federal lodging rate ($113/night in Doña Ana County). Weekly extended-stay rates often run lower, so you may keep more.
Staying near here? Tell the next crew what you pay for a room. No name needed.
By the Per Diem Report editorial desk · last verified Nov 7, 2026
#2Cedar Rapids, IA · Commissioning
Pay$60-$65/hr
Per diem$150-$178/day
Schedule68 hrs/wk
Strongest per diem in the Midwest, paid 7 days. Work now includes first-time energization and Level 3-5 commissioning support.
Stay in Fairfax about 5 min · Cedar Rapids about 15 min · Marion about 25 min · Iowa City about 30 min
Left after a room $37 to $65/day of per diem, after a room at the federal lodging rate ($113/night in Linn County). Weekly extended-stay rates often run lower, so you may keep more.
Staying near here? Tell the next crew what you pay for a room. No name needed.
By the Per Diem Report editorial desk · last verified Nov 7, 2026
#3Holly Ridge, LA · Vertical / MEP
Pay$37-$43/hr
Per diem$100-$170/day
Schedule56 hrs/wk plus Saturdays
Up to 5 GW and a build that runs to 2030. It's the safest bet for steady work, and apprentice roles are open.
Stay in Rayville about 15 min · Delhi about 15 min · Monroe about 35 min · West Monroe about 40 min
Left after a room -$13 to $57/day of per diem, after a room at the federal lodging rate ($113/night in Richland Parish). Tight at the low end. Share a room or look for weekly rates.
Staying near here? Tell the next crew what you pay for a room. No name needed.
By the Per Diem Report editorial desk · last verified Nov 7, 2026
#4Abilene, TX · Site / Civil
Pay$33/hr
Per diem$125/day
Schedule6x10s days or 5x12s nights
Good entry point: TDLR registration only, no journeyman card needed.
Stay in Abilene about 15 min · Tye about 15 min · Clyde about 25 min
Left after a room $12/day of per diem, after a room at the federal lodging rate ($113/night in Taylor County). Tight at the low end. Share a room or look for weekly rates.
Staying near here? Tell the next crew what you pay for a room. No name needed.
By the Per Diem Report editorial desk · last verified Nov 7, 2026
#5New Albany, OH · Vertical / MEP
Pay$33-$37/hr
Per diem$125/day
ScheduleNot stated
Per diem is $875 a week, paid 7 days, in a mature market with lots of follow-on work.
Stay in New Albany about 5 min · Johnstown about 15 min · Gahanna about 15 min · NE Columbus about 20 min
Left after a room -$13 to $12/day of per diem, after a room at the federal lodging rate ($113-$138/night: Licking County or Franklin County). Tight at the low end. Share a room or look for weekly rates.
Staying near here? Tell the next crew what you pay for a room. No name needed.
By the Per Diem Report editorial desk · last verified Nov 7, 2026
