The United States is in the middle of the largest industrial construction boom in a generation. Over $560 billion in committed capital is flowing into semiconductor fabs, hyperscale data centers, and EV battery gigafactories across the country — and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is the workforce making it happen.
If you're a traveling IBEW electrician looking for the best calls in 2026, this is the guide. We break down every major project, the IBEW locals dispatching travelers, current wage scales, over-scale premiums, per diem packages, and what you need to get on the books.
Live data: Every local mentioned below links directly to its GoHereBro profile with real-time book numbers, dispatch info, and job calls. Bookmark this page — we update it as conditions change.
What's Driving the Boom
Three forces are colliding to create unprecedented demand for IBEW inside wiremen:
- The AI Data Center Race — Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon are building gigawatt-scale campuses. North American data center vacancy is at 1% for the second straight year, pushing developers into secondary markets where land and grid power are available.
- Semiconductor Reshoring (CHIPS Act) — Micron, Intel, TSMC, Samsung, and Texas Instruments are building fabs worth $11B to $200B, subsidized by federal CHIPS and Science Act funding that requires prevailing wages and encourages Project Labor Agreements.
- EV & Battery Gigafactories — Ford's BlueOval City, Hyundai's Metaplant, and the BlueOval SK battery plants in Kentucky are drawing hundreds of travelers to the South and Midwest.
Local labor pools simply cannot staff these projects alone. Contractors are entirely reliant on the IBEW traveler network to hit critical-path milestones.
Capital Investment at a Glance
| Project | Type | Location | Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micron Technology | Semiconductor Fabs | NY, ID, VA | $200 Billion |
| TSMC | Semiconductor Fabs | Arizona | $100 Billion |
| Samsung Electronics | Semiconductor Campus | Texas (Taylor) | $40+ Billion |
| Intel "Silicon Heartland" | Semiconductor Fabs | Ohio (New Albany) | $20+ Billion |
| Eli Lilly | Pharmaceutical | IN, AL, TX, VA | $27 Billion |
| Stellantis | Auto / Battery | IN, IL, MI, OH | $13 Billion |
| Hyundai Metaplant | EV Assembly & Battery | Georgia | $12.6 Billion |
| Ford & SK On (BlueOval SK) | Battery Gigafactories | Kentucky | $11–13 Billion |
| Texas Instruments | Semiconductor Fab | Utah (Lehi) | $11 Billion |
| Ford BlueOval City | EV Assembly | Tennessee | $6 Billion |
Hyperscale Data Centers
IBEW Local 153 — South Bend, Indiana (AWS & Microsoft)
View LU-153 live dispatch info →
Northern Indiana is ground zero for data center construction. The massive AWS Data Campus in New Carlisle and Microsoft developments are creating a severe labor deficit.
- JW Base Scale: $43.00/hr
- Total Package: $68.88/hr (includes $13.13 H&W, $8.25 pension, $4.50 annuity)
- Over-Scale: $5.00–$10.00/hr above scale depending on contractor
- Overtime: All OT at double-time
- Schedule: 5-10s and an 8 (58 hrs/week)
At $48.00 effective straight time ($43 + $5 over scale) and 18 hours of double-time, a traveler at LU-153 grosses roughly $3,648/week.
Contractors hiring: Aldridge Electric, Edgar, Emcor, J&J, Lighthouse, Lyons Pinner, Meade, MJ Electric, Sachs/ArchKey, Stelko
IBEW Local 124 — Kansas City, Missouri (Meta & Novva)
View LU-124 live dispatch info →
Kansas City is a major node in the 2026 data center network. At peak demand, LU-124 has deployed over 1,200 traveling electricians alongside its 3,700 local members. Local members fill leadership roles while Book 2 travelers execute the massive volume of field installation.
Contractors hiring: Baker Group, RS, Pro Construction
IBEW Local 20 — Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (QTS, Compass, Equinix)
View LU-20 live dispatch info →
DFW remains one of the largest data center markets in the world, concentrated in the Red Oak, Lancaster, and Wilmer corridors. LU-20 has hundreds of unfilled calls actively seeking travelers.
- JW Base Scale: $40.65/hr
- Overtime: All OT at double-time on data center sites
- Incentives: Some contractors (The State Group) pay $1.00/hr above scale as attendance bonus on top of double-time OT
Texas is right-to-work, but the sheer scale of these projects means union contractors dominate. LU-20 is also staffing the 2026 Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant spring outage.
Contractors hiring: Morley Moss Electric, Rosendin Electric, Hargrove Electric, The State Group (Delta Services), Veteran Electric, Southland Industries, Quality Electric, Fisk Electric
IBEW Local 112 — Kennewick, Washington (Oregon Data Center Clusters)
View LU-112 live dispatch info →
The Pacific Northwest offers hydroelectric power and ideal cooling climates. LU-112 manages the massive data center clusters in Hermiston and Boardman, Oregon — data center work accounts for an estimated 95% of available calls.
- JW Base Scale: $54.65/hr
- H&W: $10.93 | Retirement: $11.00
- Per Diem: $100/day subsistence pay
- Schedule: 5-10s
The combination of high base wage, $100/day per diem, and heavy overtime makes LU-112 one of the most lucrative travel destinations in the country. The local also offers a no-cost primary care clinic for members through Pacific Health Coalition.
Contractors hiring: EC Electric, Dynalectric, Cochran Electric
IBEW Local 347 — Des Moines, Iowa (EWD & QTS)
View LU-347 live dispatch info →
Iowa's renewable energy profile and vast land make it prime for hyperscale expansion. LU-347 is managing major data center builds.
- Over-Scale: $5.00/hr above scale
- Overtime: All OT at double-time
- Incentives: $50/week attendance bonus on industrial projects (ADM)
The "vacuum effect" is real here: as data centers offer extreme premiums, even local commercial contractors are forced to pay $2.50+ over scale just to keep crews.
Contractors hiring: JW Baker Group, Cupertino Electric, Capitol City Electric, Esco Electric
Semiconductor Fabrication Plants
IBEW Local 43 — Syracuse, New York (Micron $100B Megafab)
View LU-43 live dispatch info →
Micron's $100 billion megafab complex in Clay, New York is a cornerstone of U.S. memory chip production. Phase one alone is $20 billion, backed by $6.4 billion in CHIPS Act funding.
- JW Base Scale: $50.50/hr
- Total Package: $86.62/hr ($13.44 H&W, $11.83 pension, $7.00 annuity)
- Shift Differentials: 2nd shift +15% ($58.10/hr), 3rd shift +25% ($63.15/hr)
- Guaranteed Raise: $5.25 increase effective June 2026
A formal Project Labor Agreement (PLA) governs this site, with Helmets to Hardhats veteran recruitment and 30% MWBE spend mandates.
IBEW Local 683 — Columbus, Ohio (Intel "Silicon Heartland")
View LU-683 live dispatch info →
Intel's 1,000+ acre campus in New Albany has the potential to expand to eight fabs. LU-683 dispatches hundreds of travelers to "Project Cyprus."
- JW Base Scale: $43.00/hr
- Total Package: $69.73/hr ($12.15 H&W, $7.52 pension, $4.25 annuity)
- Intel Incentive: All hours paid at time-and-a-half — effective rate of $64.50/hr for every hour worked
- Schedule: 2nd shift 5-10s + 8
Travelers can email their info and travel letters directly to the hall for streamlined dispatch. LU-683 recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary and is expanding its training center.
IBEW Local 520 — Austin, Texas (Samsung Taylor Campus)
View LU-520 live dispatch info →
Samsung's multi-fab campus in Taylor represents the largest foreign investment in Texas history — starting at $17 billion and expanding past $40 billion.
- JW Base Scale: $36.50/hr
- Total Package: $47.04/hr
- Overtime: 1.5x after 40 hours; Sundays and holidays at double-time
- Benefit: Health insurance premiums 100% contractor-paid — effectively +$4.00/hr vs. non-union take-home
IBEW Local 640 — Phoenix, Arizona (TSMC & Intel Expansions)
View LU-640 live dispatch info →
Arizona hosts both TSMC ($100B+ for 3 fabs) and Intel expansions. LU-640 is managing extreme manpower demands.
- Incentive Structure: $15.00/hr incentive pay + $5.00/hr retention pay = $20.00/hr on top of base
- Schedule: 6-12s (72 hours/week) on some calls
- Requirements: NMAP qualification, nuclear clearance, fitness-for-duty validation on certain sites
Contractors hiring: Sturgeon Electric, Dynalectric, Cannon & Wendt
IBEW Local 354 — Salt Lake City, Utah (Texas Instruments)
View LU-354 live dispatch info →
Texas Instruments is building an $11 billion 300mm fab in Lehi. LU-354 supports this plus QTS (Eagle Mountain) and NOVVA (West Jordan) data centers.
- JW Base Scale: $43.65/hr
- Contractors: Wasatch Electric (fab), Cupertino Electric (QTS), National Technologies Institute (NOVVA)
EV & Battery Gigafactories
IBEW Local 474 — Memphis, Tennessee (Ford BlueOval City)
View LU-474 live dispatch info →
Ford's $6 billion BlueOval City — six square miles of EV and battery manufacturing — is the largest commercial construction project in Tennessee history. For the IBEW, it's a generational opportunity to build union density in a right-to-work state.
- JW Base Scale: $36.65/hr
- Benefits: $5.50 retirement + $9.05 H&W
- Per Diem: Up to $100/day (contractor-dependent)
- Hours: Consistent 50-60 hour weeks
LU-474 also dispatches to the Google Data Center in West Memphis, AR (ArchKey Sachs) and the St. Jude expansion. Google site requirements include Arkansas state license, pre-hire drug/background, and IBEW Code of Excellence certification.
IBEW Local 369 — Louisville, Kentucky (Ford-SK On BlueOval SK)
View LU-369 live dispatch info →
Twin battery gigafactories producing 86 GWh annually. Investment: $11–13 billion.
- Per Diem: $850/week non-taxable for travelers 100+ miles from site
- Attendance Requirement: Must work 90% of scheduled 58-hour week (52+ hours) to qualify for the stipend
- Local Incentive: Apprentices receive $300/week attendance bonus (taxable)
The $850/week stipend vs. GSA lodging rates ($155–$164/night) makes LU-369 extremely competitive for travelers.
IBEW Locals 508 & 1579 — Savannah/Augusta, Georgia (Hyundai Metaplant)
View LU-508 dispatch → | View LU-1579 dispatch →
Hyundai's $12.6 billion Metaplant — Georgia's largest economic development project — will produce up to 500,000 EVs annually. LU-508 and LU-1579 are both pulling travelers for this multi-year greenfield build.
Book 2 sign-in requires: letter of introduction, current dues receipt, termination papers — submitted during the 10th–16th of each month.
IBEW Local 481 — Indianapolis, Indiana (Stellantis & Eli Lilly)
View LU-481 live dispatch info →
Central Indiana is booming with Stellantis retooling ($13B multi-state) and Eli Lilly pharmaceutical expansions ($27B total).
- Total Package: $57.43/hr with full family healthcare
- Schedule: 6-10s (60 hrs Mon–Sat) starting at 6:00 AM
- Primary Site: Eli Lilly Lebanon LP1 (Fluor Constructors)
The 60-hour weeks provide massive gross earning potential. LU-481 is one of the busiest dispatching halls in the Midwest.
Other Major 2026 Projects
IBEW Local 41 — Buffalo, New York (Bills Stadium)
View LU-41 live dispatch info →
The new Buffalo Bills Stadium uses the same incentive structure as BlueOval SK:
- Per Diem: $850/week non-taxable (100+ miles from site, 90% attendance required)
- Lodging: Some contractors provide housing directly after orientation
Contractors: Ferguson Electric, Weydman, ARC and COMM, Frey Electric, Rand & Jones, Billitier Electric
IBEW Local 760 — Knoxville, Tennessee (TVA Kingston Gas Plant)
View LU-760 live dispatch info →
The TVA Kingston coal-to-gas conversion (Black & Veatch, Miller):
- TVA Rate: $34.11/hr + $9.00 retirement + $8.90 H&W
- Schedule: 5-10s + 8
2026 Wage Comparison by Local
| IBEW Local | Megaproject | JW Base | Total Package | Key Incentive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LU-43 (Syracuse, NY) | Micron Megafab | $50.50 | $86.62 | $5.25 raise June 2026 |
| LU-683 (Columbus, OH) | Intel Fabs | $43.00 | $69.73 | All hrs at 1.5x ($64.50 effective) |
| LU-153 (South Bend, IN) | AWS Data Campus | $43.00 | $68.88 | $5–$10 over scale, 2x OT |
| LU-112 (Kennewick, WA) | OR Data Centers | $54.65 | ~$76.58 | $100/day sub pay |
| LU-481 (Indianapolis, IN) | Eli Lilly / Stellantis | ~$41.00+ | $57.43 | 6-10s schedules |
| LU-640 (Phoenix, AZ) | TSMC / Intel | Variable | Variable | $20/hr combined incentive |
| LU-520 (Austin, TX) | Samsung Taylor | $36.50 | $47.04 | 100% contractor-paid health |
| LU-474 (Memphis, TN) | Ford BlueOval City | $36.65 | ~$51.20 | $100/day per diem |
| LU-354 (Salt Lake, UT) | TI / QTS / NOVVA | $43.65 | Variable | High-volume 5-10s |
| LU-369 (Louisville, KY) | BlueOval SK | Variable | Variable | $850/week tax-free per diem |
| LU-347 (Des Moines, IA) | EWD / QTS | Variable | Variable | $5 over scale, 2x OT |
| LU-20 (Dallas, TX) | QTS / Compass / Equinix | $40.65 | Variable | 2x OT on data centers |
What You Need Before You Travel
The days of showing up at a hall with hand tools are over. 2026 megaprojects require:
Documentation
- Traveling Card — withdrawal card or travel permit from your home local
- Clearance Card — proof of no outstanding dues/fines
- Letter of Introduction — some locals require fax verification between halls
- Current Dues Receipt — most halls verify electronically now
Certifications
- OSHA 10 — baseline for almost every site
- OSHA 30 — required for underground, medium-voltage, and supervisory roles
- IBEW Code of Excellence — mandated on many high-profile sites
- NMAP Qualification — required for TSMC, nuclear facilities
- State License — check reciprocity (e.g., Arkansas license required for Google West Memphis site)
Pre-Hire Requirements
- Background check (some sites won't let you on until it clears — can strand you for days)
- Drug testing (urinalysis and/or hair follicle)
- Fitness-for-duty validation (some fab and nuclear sites)
Browse All IBEW Locals
Looking for work in a specific area? Browse every IBEW local on GoHereBro with live book numbers, scale rates, and open calls:
Northeast: LU-3 (New York) | LU-25 (Long Island) | LU-35 (Hartford) | LU-41 (Buffalo) | LU-43 (Syracuse) | LU-56 (Erie) | LU-81 (Scranton) | LU-86 (Rochester) | LU-90 (New Haven) | LU-96 (Worcester) | LU-98 (Philadelphia) | LU-99 (Providence) | LU-103 (Boston) | LU-106 (Jamestown) | LU-139 (Elmira) | LU-143 (Harrisburg) | LU-163 (Wilkes-Barre) | LU-164 (Jersey City) | LU-223 (Brockton) | LU-229 (York) | LU-236 (Albany) | LU-237 (Niagara Falls) | LU-269 (Trenton) | LU-300 (Montpelier) | LU-325 (Binghamton) | LU-363 (Rockland County) | LU-375 (Allentown) | LU-400 (Asbury Park) | LU-456 (New Brunswick) | LU-488 (Bridgeport) | LU-490 (Dover) | LU-567 (Portland, ME) | LU-654 (Chester) | LU-712 (Beaver) | LU-743 (Reading) | LU-812 (Williamsport) | LU-840 (Geneva) | LU-910 (Watertown) | LU-1253 (Augusta, ME)
Southeast: LU-136 (Birmingham) | LU-175 (Chattanooga) | LU-177 (Jacksonville) | LU-238 (Asheville) | LU-270 (Oak Ridge) | LU-295 (Little Rock) | LU-342 (Winston-Salem) | LU-349 (Miami) | LU-369 (Louisville) | LU-379 (Charlotte) | LU-429 (Nashville) | LU-443 (Montgomery) | LU-474 (Memphis) | LU-480 (Jackson, MS) | LU-495 (Wilmington, NC) | LU-505 (Mobile) | LU-508 (Savannah) | LU-553 (Raleigh) | LU-558 (Sheffield) | LU-606 (Orlando) | LU-613 (Atlanta) | LU-666 (Richmond) | LU-676 (Pensacola) | LU-728 (Ft. Lauderdale) | LU-756 (Daytona) | LU-760 (Knoxville) | LU-776 (Charleston, SC) | LU-816 (Paducah) | LU-915 (Tampa) | LU-1205 (Gainesville) | LU-1316 (Macon) | LU-1340 (Newport News) | LU-1531 (Albany, GA) | LU-1579 (Augusta, GA) | LU-1925 (Martin, TN)
Midwest: LU-1 (St. Louis) | LU-8 (Toledo) | LU-13 (Burlington) | LU-16 (Evansville) | LU-22 (Omaha) | LU-32 (Lima) | LU-34 (Peoria) | LU-38 (Cleveland) | LU-58 (Detroit) | LU-64 (Youngstown) | LU-82 (Dayton) | LU-95 (Joplin) | LU-110 (St. Paul) | LU-117 (Elgin) | LU-124 (Kansas City) | LU-129 (Lorain) | LU-131 (Kalamazoo) | LU-134 (Chicago) | LU-145 (Rock Island) | LU-146 (Decatur) | LU-150 (Waukegan) | LU-153 (South Bend) | LU-158 (Green Bay) | LU-159 (Madison) | LU-176 (Joliet) | LU-193 (Springfield, IL) | LU-197 (Bloomington) | LU-212 (Cincinnati) | LU-226 (Topeka) | LU-231 (Sioux City) | LU-242 (Duluth) | LU-246 (Steubenville) | LU-252 (Ann Arbor) | LU-257 (Jefferson City) | LU-265 (Lincoln) | LU-271 (Wichita) | LU-275 (Muskegon) | LU-288 (Waterloo) | LU-292 (Minneapolis) | LU-294 (Hibbing) | LU-305 (Fort Wayne) | LU-306 (Akron) | LU-309 (Collinsville) | LU-343 (Le Sueur) | LU-347 (Des Moines) | LU-350 (Hannibal) | LU-364 (Rockford) | LU-388 (Stevens Point) | LU-405 (Cedar Rapids) | LU-426 (Sioux Falls) | LU-430 (Racine) | LU-445 (Battle Creek) | LU-453 (Springfield, MO) | LU-461 (Aurora) | LU-481 (Indianapolis) | LU-494 (Milwaukee) | LU-498 (Traverse City) | LU-531 (La Porte) | LU-538 (Danville) | LU-540 (Canton) | LU-545 (St. Joseph) | LU-557 (Saginaw) | LU-573 (Warren) | LU-575 (Portsmouth) | LU-577 (Appleton) | LU-601 (Champaign) | LU-648 (Hamilton) | LU-649 (Alton) | LU-665 (Lansing) | LU-668 (Lafayette) | LU-673 (Painesville) | LU-683 (Columbus) | LU-688 (Mansfield) | LU-692 (Bay City) | LU-697 (Gary) | LU-701 (Lisle) | LU-702 (West Frankfort) | LU-704 (Dubuque) | LU-725 (Terre Haute) | LU-855 (Muncie) | LU-873 (Kokomo) | LU-890 (Janesville) | LU-906 (Marquette) | LU-948 (Flint) | LU-1105 (Newark, OH)
South Central & Texas: LU-20 (Dallas/Fort Worth) | LU-60 (San Antonio) | LU-72 (Waco) | LU-130 (New Orleans) | LU-194 (Shreveport) | LU-278 (Corpus Christi) | LU-301 (Texarkana) | LU-436 (El Dorado) | LU-446 (Monroe) | LU-479 (Beaumont) | LU-520 (Austin) | LU-527 (Galveston) | LU-576 (Alexandria) | LU-583 (El Paso) | LU-584 (Tulsa) | LU-602 (Amarillo) | LU-681 (Wichita Falls) | LU-700 (Fort Smith) | LU-716 (Houston) | LU-861 (Lake Charles) | LU-995 (Baton Rouge) | LU-1015 (Weslaco) | LU-1077 (Bogalusa) | LU-1141 (Oklahoma City) | LU-1516 (Jonesboro)
West: LU-6 (San Francisco) | LU-11 (Los Angeles) | LU-46 (Seattle) | LU-48 (Portland, OR) | LU-68 (Denver) | LU-73 (Spokane) | LU-76 (Tacoma) | LU-100 (Fresno) | LU-112 (Kennewick) | LU-113 (Colorado Springs) | LU-180 (Vallejo) | LU-191 (Everett) | LU-233 (Helena) | LU-234 (Castroville) | LU-280 (Salem) | LU-291 (Boise) | LU-302 (Martinez) | LU-322 (Casper) | LU-332 (San Jose) | LU-340 (Sacramento) | LU-354 (Salt Lake City) | LU-357 (Las Vegas) | LU-401 (Reno) | LU-413 (Santa Barbara) | LU-415 (Cheyenne) | LU-428 (Bakersfield) | LU-440 (Riverside) | LU-441 (Orange County) | LU-449 (Pocatello) | LU-477 (San Bernardino) | LU-518 (Globe) | LU-532 (Billings) | LU-551 (Santa Rosa) | LU-569 (San Diego) | LU-570 (Tucson) | LU-595 (Dublin) | LU-611 (Albuquerque) | LU-617 (San Mateo) | LU-639 (San Luis Obispo) | LU-640 (Phoenix) | LU-659 (Medford) | LU-684 (Modesto) | LU-768 (Kalispell) | LU-932 (Coos Bay) | LU-952 (Ventura) | LU-1186 (Honolulu) | LU-1250 (Rapid City) | LU-1547 (Anchorage)
More from GoHereBro
- Interactive Map — See every IBEW local and open call on a live map
- Hot Spots — Locals with the most open calls right now
- How to Travel as an IBEW Electrician — Step-by-step guide to getting your traveling card
- Rules of the Road for IBEW Tramps — The unwritten code every traveler needs to know
This guide is maintained by working IBEW travelers and updated as project conditions change. Wage scales, per diems, and contractor call volumes shift — always verify current dispatch conditions by calling the local directly or checking their page on GoHereBro.
Last updated: March 2026