The Traveler's Guide to Micron Boise: IBEW Local 291 Job Calls, Wages & Cost of Living (2026)

Yes — there is steady, multi-year traveler work at Micron Boise right now, and IBEW Local 291 is the hall dispatching it. Micron's hometown campus at 8000 S. Federal Way is the largest private construction project in Idaho history, it's union-built under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), and inside Journeyman Wireman calls have been running deep into Book 2 — meaning out-of-town hands are getting referred. If you're an inside wireman with an Idaho journeyman license (or willing to get one via reciprocity), this is one of the better semiconductor "megafab" travel opportunities in the country. Here's everything you need to know before you sign the books.

TL;DR

• The work is real and it runs for years. Local 291 (Boise) holds jurisdiction over the Micron campus and is regularly dispatching Micron PLA calls from contractors like Rosendin, Mass Electric, EC Electric, VECA, and Quality Electric.
• The money is strong. The Micron PLA lists a $45.33 base + an additional $20/hour (≈ $65.33/hr effective) plus travel pay of roughly $170–$200/day for those who qualify (typically 75+ miles out).
• You need an Idaho license. Every JW call requires an Idaho state journeyman license. Idaho has reciprocity with 13 states — but Washington and California are NOT among them.
• The build is multi-year and accelerating. Fab ID1 targets first DRAM wafer output in 2H 2027; a second fab (ID2) is funded under Micron's ~$50 billion Idaho commitment. Peak construction is projected at 4,000+ workers, and the general contractor changed in late 2025 (Exyte out, Hoffman Construction in) — which reshuffled but did not end the electrical staffing pipeline.

Check the live map and hot spots dashboard for current open calls before you commit.

Key Findings

The bottom line for travelers: Micron's Boise campus is union-built under a PLA, Local 291 is the dispatching local, and the work pipeline extends through at least 2027–2030.

• Jurisdiction & hall: The Micron campus sits at 8000 S. Federal Way in southeast Boise, squarely inside IBEW Local 291's jurisdiction (Treasure Valley / Southwest Idaho, ~2,100 members, chartered 1902). Hall: 225 N. 16th St., Boise, ID. Dispatch: (208) 343-4861 / [email protected].
• Calls are live and going to travelers. Micron PLA Journeyman Wireman calls have posted from Rosendin, Mass Electric, EC Electric, plus "Micron In House" non-PLA shop calls from Quality Electric. Book 2 reaching #125+ is the signal you want to see.
• Pay on the Micron PLA: $45.33 base + $20/hour (≈ $65.33/hr effective) with travel pay ~$170–$200/day for eligible hands. Material handlers/stockmen on the PLA run ~$15.41 base + $10/hr. A separate META (Facebook) MOU rate of $65.33 base also appears on the board for Local 291 work.
• License requirement is strict: "Idaho State Journeyman License required for ALL JW calls."
• Construction timeline: Fab ID1 broke ground in 2023, hit 70,000 tons of steel in June 2025, and targets first DRAM wafer output in 2H 2027. ID2 is funded and expected to come online before Micron's first New York fab — meaning Boise stays hot while New York is still in ground-prep.
• The GC change matters: In September 2025 Micron discontinued cleanroom GC Exyte and brought in Hoffman Construction to finish. Electrical subs and the Local 291 PLA dispatch pipeline kept operating.
• Cost of living is a selling point: Boise rent runs roughly 10–22% below the U.S. average, with multiple RV parks within ~4 miles of the campus.

Micron Boise Facility Overview

Micron Technology was founded in Boise on October 5, 1978 by Ward Parkinson, Joe Parkinson, Dennis Wilson, and Doug Pitman — famously starting in the basement of a Boise dental office. Early funding came from local Idaho businessmen and, critically, potato magnate J.R. Simplot. The company completed its first wafer fab ("Fab 1") in Boise in 1981 (64K DRAM chips) and went public (NASDAQ: MU) in 1984.

For decades the Boise campus at 8000 S. Federal Way served as corporate HQ and an R&D/pathfinding hub while volume manufacturing migrated overseas. That reversed with the CHIPS and Science Act: in September 2022 Micron announced a $15 billion fab for Boise — the first new memory fab built in the U.S. in over 20 years.

What's made there: Micron makes memory and storage — primarily DRAM (~80% of sales), plus NAND flash, NOR, High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for AI, and SSDs (the Crucial consumer brand, which Micron announced it would discontinue in early 2026 to focus on data center/AI/enterprise). The new Boise fabs are dedicated to leading-edge DRAM.

Size and workforce: Micron is one of Idaho's largest employers (~2,800+ at the Boise site historically, ~5,000+ in Idaho at peak). The current expansion pushes the Boise campus toward ~900 acres with two new high-volume fabs, each with ~600,000 sq ft of cleanroom. The OSHA partnership scope lists: 8,000 tons of steel, 15 new buildings, 3,000 parking spaces, ~40 cranes, and 4,000+ construction workers at peak.

Current status (2025–2026): Construction is well underway. Fab ID1 reached a major structural milestone in June 2025 (~70,000 tons of American-made steel) with first DRAM wafer output targeted for 2H 2027. Micron projects building and operating Idaho's two fabs will create over 17,000 new jobs (direct + indirect). One caution: Micron manages supply growth "consistent with market conditions," so exact phase dates can shift.

Micron Expansion & the CHIPS Act

CHIPS Act funding — the money behind the calls. The U.S. Department of Commerce finalized a binding $6.165 billion direct CHIPS Act funding agreement with Micron on December 10, 2024. That award is shared across Micron's Idaho and New York fab projects. In June 2025, Micron and the Trump administration announced an expanded ~$200 billion U.S. investment plan (~$150B manufacturing + ~$50B R&D), which added a second Boise fab (ID2), expansion of the Manassas, Virginia fab (a separate $275 million CHIPS grant finalized June 11, 2025), and U.S. HBM packaging.

For Idaho specifically, Micron has committed on the order of $25 billion in Boise through the end of the decade, later framed within a larger ~$50 billion Idaho figure tied to the two-fab plan. Funds are milestone-based — disbursed as construction/production milestones are met, not as a lump sum — which is good news for trade workers: Micron must keep building to keep collecting.

Expansion projects & future construction phases:

When are more calls expected? Expect rolling demand through 2027 and into the 2028–2030 window as ID1 finishes tool install and ID2 ramps. The dispatch board has shown calls dated into June 2026 with notes like "Saturday work may be required" and "5-8's working 60/60/50 schedule" — signals of an active, expanding manpower curve. Caveat: a memory-market downturn could slow ID2; watch Micron's quarterly earnings calls for fab-timing language.

Electrical contractors (IBEW Local 291 signatory, dispatching Micron PLA calls):

• Rosendin Electric — the nation's largest employee-owned electrical contractor.
• Mass Electric Construction (MEC) — a Kiewit company, heavy industrial.
• EC Electric.
• VECA Electric & Technologies — Treasure Valley high-tech/semiconductor specialist with a Boise ops hub, fab shop, and onboarding/training center.
• Quality Electric Inc. (QEI) — local Boise contractor with a Mission Critical Semiconductor/Data Center group; also runs "Micron In House" non-PLA shop calls.

Historic/GC-level players on the campus include Engineered Structures Inc. (ESI), Hensel Phelps, Kiewit, and local sub McAlvain Companies. Faith Technologies and Sasco are common megafab electrical players nationally but were not confirmed on the Local 291 Micron board in this research — verify with the hall before assuming.

Project Labor Agreement: The Micron Boise work is covered by a PLA — described as the first major PLA in Idaho in roughly 40 years. For electricians the PLA means standardized PLA wage rates, travel-pay provisions, pre-hire drug/alcohol testing, and a no-strike framework.

IBEW Local 291 Boise — Traveler Info

Does Local 291 cover the Micron site? Yes. Local 291 is the inside construction local for the Treasure Valley / Southwest Idaho, and the Micron campus on Federal Way is within its jurisdiction. The hall also dispatches the META (Facebook) Kuna data center, St. Luke's hospital towers, Mountain Home AFB, and other valley work.

How to Get on the Micron Job: The Traveler Call Process

1. Get your Idaho journeyman license first. Every JW call states: "Idaho State Journeyman License required for ALL JW calls." Licensing: Idaho DOPL (208) 334-3233 / dopl.idaho.gov. Idaho has journeyman reciprocity with Colorado, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Washington and California do NOT have reciprocity with Idaho — hands from those states must apply as out-of-state applicants and may have to test. This is the #1 thing that trips up travelers.
2. Sign the books. Local 291 uses an online system at ibew291.workingsystems.com. As a traveler you'll typically sign Book 2 (Group II / out-of-area). First-timers should review the hall's "1st Time Signers" page.
3. Re-sign monthly. Re-sign between the 10th and the 16th of each month to hold your spot. Book counts update on the 17th.
4. Bid for referral. The Jobs Board updates by 5:00 PM daily. Online bids may be placed after 5 PM MST the day of posting and must be completed by 8:00 AM MST on the bid day. (After-hours phone: (208) 343-4861, Option 0.) Anyone accepting a bid must report to Dispatch by 4:00 PM the day prior to the requested start date. Only those awarded a bid are contacted.
5. Show up ready. Micron PLA calls require pre-hire drug/alcohol testing, safety-toe boots, OSHA-10, two forms of ID, and direct-deposit banking info. Expect lots of walking, many stairs, uneven surfaces, work at heights (10'–40'), and large-site logistics (paperwork sometimes starts at an off-site warehouse).

Current book status (snapshot): Inside Construction books showed roughly Book 1: 37, Book 2: 65, Book 3: 14, Book 4: 1. With JW calls reaching #125+ on Book 2, the hall has been turning the books over — a healthy sign for travelers, though depth fluctuates daily.

Wages, Benefits, Travel & Subsistence

• Micron PLA Journeyman Wireman: $45.33 base + $20/hour (≈ $65.33/hr effective), with travel pay ~$170–$200/day for eligible hands (typically 75+ miles out — "Per Diem over 75+ miles"). A VECA/META MOU rate of $65.33 base (effective 4/13/26) also appears for Local 291 work. PLA stockman/material handler: ~$15.41 base + $10/hr.
• Standard Local 291 Inside Agreement (non-PLA shop calls): The last published chart (effective 12/01/2022, 2022–2025 term) listed a Journeyman base of $38.00/hr and a total package of $55.46/hr — Health & Welfare $7.70, local Pension $4.00, Annuity $2.00, NEBF 3%, JATC 3%, plus PCA/admin/LMCC and a 4% union assessment. Caveat: that agreement has expired; the current 2025–2026 scale is almost certainly higher but was not in a verifiable published source. Non-PLA "Micron In House" shop calls (Quality Electric) posted at $65.33; other shop calls at $55.33.

Confirm exact current rates with the hall — [email protected] handles schedules, travel pay, and licensing; [email protected] is for dispatch only.

Cost of Living & Where to Stay in Boise

Boise is one of the more affordable mid-size metros for traveling tradesmen, which makes the Micron PLA travel pay stretch further than a coastal market.

Rent (1BR / 2BR): Sources vary by quarter, but the picture is consistent — Boise sits below the national average:

Boise's median rent (~$1,500) runs about 22% below the U.S. median per Zumper, with utilities ~23% cheaper than average. Note: Idaho has a state income tax, so factor that into net pay.

Best places for travelers to stay (close + affordable):

• Southeast / East Boise — closest to the campus (Federal Way). Harris Ranch, Columbia Village, and "The Island" are within biking distance but skew higher-end.
• Boise Bench / West Bench / North End — among the most affordable Boise neighborhoods for rentals.
• Meridian — newer apartments and amenities, ~20–25 min via I-84/Eagle Rd (watch rush hour).
• Nampa — best value in the valley, ~25–35 min commute.
• Kuna — small-town, affordable, near the Snake River; reasonable drive to SE Boise.

RV park options near Micron:

• Mountain View RV Park (2040 Airport Way) — advertises ~3.8 miles from Micron, ~0.5 mi from the airport; 60 pull-thru full-hookup sites, laundry, showers; Good Sam/AAA discounts. The most convenient established option.
• Boise Riverside RV Park and On The River RV Park (6000 Glenwood St) — larger riverfront/Greenbelt options.
• Hi-Valley RV Park, Americana Kampground / Fiesta RV Park — additional Boise-area choices.
• Boise/Meridian KOA — full-service, slightly longer commute.
• Wagon Wheel RV Park (Mountain Home, ~35 min east on I-84) — explicitly markets to "contracted workers at places like Micron"; good fallback if Boise parks are booked.

Book early — the Micron build has tightened both apartment vacancy (~1.8–3.4% metro) and RV availability.

Boise as a City

Boise ("the City of Trees") sits in the Treasure Valley at ~2,700 ft with a semi-arid, four-season climate and 200+ sunny days a year. Expect hot, dry summers (July highs ~90–93°F), mild low-snowfall winters (January highs ~39°F), and pleasant springs/falls. Two quirks: January temperature inversions (gray trapped cold air — escape it up at Bogus Basin) and late-summer wildfire smoke some years.

Things to do: The Boise River Greenbelt (25-mile path), summer river floating, Foothills hiking/biking, skiing at Bogus Basin (30 min), Boise State athletics, and a lively downtown food/brewery scene.

Driving distances: Nampa ~20 mi (~30 min); Twin Falls ~128 mi (~2 hr); Salt Lake City ~339 mi (~5 hr). Transit is limited — plan to drive. Worst congestion: I-84 and Eagle Road.

FAQ

Does IBEW Local 291 cover the Micron Boise site?

Yes. The Micron campus at 8000 S. Federal Way is within IBEW Local 291's jurisdiction (Treasure Valley / Southwest Idaho), and the hall is the dispatch point for the Micron PLA calls.

How much do electricians make at Micron in Boise?

On the Micron PLA, journeyman wiremen run $45.33 base + $20/hour (≈ $65.33/hr effective) plus travel pay of roughly $170–$200/day for eligible hands (typically 75+ miles out). Rates change — confirm current numbers with the hall.

Do I need an Idaho journeyman license to work at Micron?

Yes. Every JW call states an Idaho state journeyman license is required for all JW calls. Get it squared away before you bid — it's the most common delay for travelers.

Does Idaho have electrical license reciprocity with my state?

Idaho has journeyman reciprocity with Colorado, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Washington and California do NOT have reciprocity — hands from those states apply as out-of-state applicants and may have to test. Confirm with Idaho DOPL.

How do I sign the books as a traveler at Local 291?

Use the online system at ibew291.workingsystems.com. Travelers typically sign Book 2 (Group II / out-of-area), then re-sign between the 10th and 16th of each month to hold their spot. Bid daily on the Jobs Board (after 5 PM, before 8 AM MST).

Is there travel pay or per diem on the Micron Boise job?

Yes — the PLA lists travel pay of roughly $170–$200/day for eligible hands, generally those 75+ miles from the site. The board has shown both $170 and $200/day; verify the current amount and the eligibility radius with [email protected].

Which electrical contractors are working at Micron Boise?

Confirmed on Local 291 Micron calls: Rosendin, Mass Electric (MEC), EC Electric, VECA Electric & Technologies, and Quality Electric (QEI). ESI, Hensel Phelps, Kiewit, and McAlvain are associated with the campus historically. Faith Technologies and Sasco were not confirmed — verify with the hall.

When will Micron Boise need more electricians and how long will the job last?

Expect rolling demand through 2027 and into the 2028–2030 window as Fab ID1 finishes tool install and Fab ID2 ramps. ID1 targets first DRAM wafer output in 2H 2027, and ID2 is funded to come online before Micron's first New York fab.

When does the Micron Boise fab start production?

Fab ID1 targets first DRAM wafer output in the second half of 2027, with customer qualifications to follow. Micron manages fab timing "consistent with market conditions," so treat dates as targets.

Where should I park my RV near Micron Boise?

Mountain View RV Park (2040 Airport Way) is the closest established full-hookup option (~3.8 miles from the campus). Other choices: Boise Riverside RV Park, On The River RV Park, Hi-Valley RV Park, Boise/Meridian KOA, and Wagon Wheel RV Park in Mountain Home. Book early — availability is tight.

Related Reading

Building leading-edge DRAM in both Boise and New York means the Micron megafab cluster is one of the biggest traveler-job generators in the country. If you're weighing your options, see our Local 43 Syracuse Micron megafab guide for the New York side of the same buildout, and check the live map and hot spots dashboard for current open calls.

Caveats

• Wage data: The $45.33 + $20/hr Micron PLA rate and ~$170–$200/day travel pay are from the live Local 291 dispatch board, but PLA rates and per-diem amounts change. The standard Inside Agreement figures ($38.00 base / $55.46 total) are from the expired 2022–2025 chart — the current scale is almost certainly higher. Confirm exact numbers with the hall.
• Book numbers and active calls are point-in-time snapshots that change daily; use them as directional evidence of traveler demand, not a guarantee.
• Construction timeline reflects Micron's stated targets (2H 2027 for ID1 first wafers; ID2 before first NY fab). Treat post-2027 phase dates as subject to change.
• Contractor list: Rosendin, Mass Electric, EC Electric, VECA, and Quality Electric were confirmed; Faith Technologies and Sasco were not — verify before relying on them.
• Reciprocity rules and DOPL procedures can change; confirm directly with the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses before traveling.