The median pay for Insulation Workers, Mechanical is $58,340 a year ($28.05/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 5.1% through 2035, with about 1,800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 47-2132
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Insulation Worker, Mechanical in four numbers
- Median pay
- $58,340a year, or $28.05/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $42KTop 10% $100K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.1%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,80026,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202526.7K
- Projected 203528.1K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 26.7K Projected 2035 28.1K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school7.5%
- High school71.7%
- Certificate20.8%
Highest education held by insulation workers, mechanical Segment Value Less than high school 7.5% High school 71.7% Certificate 20.8%
Also advertised as: Commercial Insulator, Heat and Frost Insulator, Industrial Insulator, Insulation Installer, Insulation Mechanic, Insulation Worker.
Pay
How much do Insulation Workers, Mechanical make?
Every insulation worker, mechanical in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$58,340
Middle half earn $48,100 to $77,360
- 10th
- $42,470
- 25th
- $48,100
- 75th
- $77,360
- 90th
- $100,220
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $42,470 |
| 25th | $48,100 |
| Median | $58,340 |
| 75th | $77,360 |
| 90th | $100,220 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $58,340
- Median hourly wage
- $28.05/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $65,530
- People employed
- 25,660
Versus all US occupations
At $58,340, Insulation Workers, Mechanical earn 14% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $7,360 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
Inside the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020, this is 3% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $100,220 or more while the bottom 10% earn $42,470, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 30% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($119,690), but once local prices are taken into account Oregon leads at $115,595 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Insulation Workers, Mechanical the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $119,690 | $108,102 | 1,310 |
| 2Oregon | $119,480 | $115,595 | 170 |
| 3Nevada | $114,130 | $114,154 | 250 |
| 4New Jersey | $107,610 | $98,902 | 330 |
| 5Minnesota | $105,670 | $107,148 | 250 |
| 6Illinois | $100,400 | $100,442 | 1,100 |
| 7Washington | $92,120 | $86,083 | 500 |
| 8Hawaii | $87,570 | $79,645 | N/A |
| 9Wisconsin | $85,120 | $90,462 | 600 |
| 10Alaska | $84,410 | $82,465 | 40 |
Job outlook
Is Insulation Worker, Mechanical a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | +5.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Insulation Workers, Mechanical to change 5.1% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,800 openings are projected each year, 6.7% of the 26,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of insulation workers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of insulation workers varies by occupation (see table).
The continuing need to make new and existing buildings and systems more energy efficient will drive the demand for mechanical insulation workers.
Getting in
How to become an Insulation Worker, Mechanical
Most floor, ceiling, and wall insulators learn their trade on the job. Many mechanical insulators complete an apprenticeship program after earning a high school diploma or equivalent.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Apprenticeship
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as insulation workers, mechanical.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)71.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate20.8%
- Less than a High School Diploma7.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 71.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 20.8% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 7.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Insulation Worker, Mechanical do?
Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
Insulation workers, also called insulators, install and replace the materials used to insulate buildings or mechanical systems.
Day-to-day tasks
- Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.
- Fit insulation around obstructions, and shape insulating materials and protective coverings as required.
- Determine the amounts and types of insulation needed, and methods of installation, based on factors such as location, surface shape, and equipment use.
- Apply, remove, and repair insulation on industrial equipment, pipes, ductwork, or other mechanical systems such as heat exchangers, tanks, and vessels, to help control noise and maintain temperatures.
- Select appropriate insulation, such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
- Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement, or asphalt mastic.
- Read blueprints and specifications to determine job requirements.
- Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most insulators work full time, and more than 40 hours a week may be required to meet construction deadlines. Those who insulate outdoors may not be able to work in bad weather, such as during a storm or in extreme heat or cold.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where insulation workers, mechanical work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Drywall and insulation contractors66%
- Building equipment contractors15%
- Nonresidential building construction5%
- Self-employed workers2%
- Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Drywall and insulation contractors | 66% |
| Building equipment contractors | 15% |
| Nonresidential building construction | 5% |
| Self-employed workers | 2% |
| Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors | 1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Speaking2.9
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Active Learning2.8
- Mathematics2.1
- Learning Strategies2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 2.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
| Mathematics | 2.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Coordination3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Operations Monitoring2.8
- Quality Control Analysis2.8
- Social Perceptiveness2.6
- Complex Problem Solving2.6
- Operation and Control2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.8 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.6 |
| Operation and Control | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Project management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Insulation Worker, Mechanical?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Insulation Worker, Mechanical |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.9
- Conventional4.3
- Investigative2.4
- Social1.2
- Artistic1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Insulation Worker, Mechanical
O*NET related occupations
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Insulation Worker, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
$49,120median a year
Most earn $37K to $78K
+2.4%No formal credential - Construction and Extraction
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer
$58,930median a year
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More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with insulation workers, mechanical highlighted
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Insulation Worker, Mechanical$58,340
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Insulation Worker, Mechanical | $58,340 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Insulation Worker, Mechanical appears on
Questions
Insulation Worker, Mechanical: frequently asked questions
How much do Insulation Workers, Mechanical make?
Insulation Workers, Mechanical earn a median of $58,340 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 14% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $28.05/hr. The middle half earn between $48,100 and $77,360. The top 10% earn $100,220 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Insulation Worker, Mechanical?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Insulation Workers, Mechanical. BLS also lists apprenticeship as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 71.7% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Insulation Worker, Mechanical a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.1% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Insulation Worker, Mechanical do?
Insulation workers, also called insulators, install and replace the materials used to insulate buildings or mechanical systems. A core O*NET task: measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.
Which states pay Insulation Workers, Mechanical the most?
The highest state medians for Insulation Workers, Mechanical are California ($119,690), Oregon ($119,480), Nevada ($114,130) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Oregon moves to the top at $115,595.
What personality type suits an Insulation Worker, Mechanical?
O*NET scores Insulation Workers, Mechanical highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.