Questions crews ask
Frequently asked questions
How the report works, where the numbers come from, and what to know before you take a road job.
About the report
What is Per Diem Report?
A free weekly report for traveling electricians and mechanical trades. Each Monday email lists the data center builds hiring now, the hourly rate and per diem from live job postings, and where crews stay near each site. The website keeps the same information up to date between Monday emails.
Is it really free?
Yes. The newsletter, the website, the free tools and the PDF reports are all free. Employers can pay to sponsor a week, and sponsored spots are always labeled.
Who is it for?
Journeyman and apprentice electricians, pipefitters, plumbers, HVAC techs and other trades who travel for work, especially on data center construction. Anyone weighing a road job can use it.
How often does it come out?
Weekly. The Hot Sites board and pay history on the website are refreshed every week too.
Do you hire or place workers?
No. We are not a staffing agency or a union. Every job we list links to the original posting, and you apply directly with the employer.
Are you affiliated with any contractor, owner or union?
No. Per Diem Report is independent and isn't paid by any company we write about. Sponsored spots are labeled.
Pay and per diem
Where do your pay and per diem numbers come from?
From public job postings we check every week, and we link every one so you can see it yourself. Crew reports from readers fill in sites where postings are thin. National trend numbers come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Census Bureau and GSA.
What is per diem?
A daily allowance that covers lodging, meals and incidentals while you work away from home. On data center builds it's usually paid per day, often 7 days a week, on top of your hourly rate.
Is per diem taxed?
Often it isn't taxed like wages when you keep a tax home you pay for and the employer pays it under IRS rules. If you don't keep a tax home, it can be taxable. Rules vary, so check with a tax pro before you count on it.
Do contractors have to pay the GSA per diem rate?
No. GSA rates set what federal travelers get, and they're a useful yardstick. Private contractors set their own per diem, and many road jobs pay below the GSA rate.
How much does a traveling electrician make on a data center job?
On our board this week, posted rates run from about $30 to $70 an hour, plus $100 to $190 a day in per diem. The national median for all electricians was $30.38 an hour in May 2025, with no per diem.
How do I compare two job offers?
Use the free Offer vs. Offer tool. It adds up the weekly pay, overtime, per diem, travel pay and housing over the length of each job.
Working on the road
Do I need a license in every state?
Often, yes. Some states accept a journeyman license from other states, and some need their own. Check the License Checker, then confirm with the employer before you travel.
Where should I stay near a data center build?
Every site page lists the towns crews use for housing. Splitting a rental with another hand is the fastest way to keep more of your per diem.
Which data center builds are hiring right now?
See Hot Sites for every build on this week's board, with pay, per diem, schedule and the original postings.
Crew reports, alerts and the newsletter
How do I send a crew report?
Use the crew report form. Tell us the site, your trade, your rate, your per diem and where you're staying. It's anonymous, and we never publish names.
Can I get an alert when a site changes?
Yes. Tap Alert me on any site page. You'll hear about changes to that site in the weekly report.
How do I unsubscribe?
Every email has an unsubscribe link at the bottom. One tap and you're off the list.
How do I follow Per Diem Report?
Subscribe to the free weekly, and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X for the weekly numbers.
For employers
How can I reach traveling crews?
Founding sponsors can place a labeled spot in the Monday email. See the employer page for details.
Still have a question?
Email [email protected]. We read every one.