Big Cedar Industrial Center
Cedar Rapids, IA · Commissioning
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.
Open postings
| Role / employer | Pay /hr | Per diem /day | Schedule | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Journeyman Electrician - Data CenterConfidential✓ Complete posting | $65 | $178 (7 days) | 68 hrs/wk, 2 years | Oct 28 |
| Per diem terms Paid 7 daysDay one Iowa license or reciprocity | ||||
| Licensed Electricians, $1,000 sign-on (Fairfax)Trillium | $60 | $150 | Not stated | Oct 9 |
| Per diem terms Not stated - ask how many days it's paidDay one Iowa license or reciprocity · $1,000 sign-on bonus | ||||
- Owner / developer
- Google and QTS (two campuses)
- End user
- Google; QTS tenant not disclosed
- General contractor
- Not verified
- How long
- One posting quotes 2 years. QTS phase two runs about a year behind phase one.
Watch out Iowa license or reciprocity (MN, NE, ND, SD, TX, WI and others). Helix Electric announced 400 hires for the area.
Ask before you sign
Most postings leave some of these out. Get the answers in writing before you drive out.
- Per diem days Is per diem paid 5, 6 or 7 days a week? Rain days and days off too, or only days worked?
- Distance rule Do I have to live a minimum distance away to get per diem?
- Taxes Is per diem paid untaxed, and what do you need from me to keep it that way?
- Hours Are the hours guaranteed in writing? What happens to my week if they drop?
- Length How long is the job, and what happens when this phase ends?
- Day one Is there a test, drug screen or orientation before I'm on the clock? What if I don't pass?
- Housing and travel Is housing provided or on me? Is there travel pay to get there and back?
Project sources: The GazetteCorridor Business Journal
By the Per Diem Report editorial desk · last verified Nov 7, 2026