Insulation Workers, Mechanical: Career Overview
Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
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What Tasks Do Insulation Workers, Mechanical Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of insulation workers, mechanical include:
- Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement, or asphalt mastic.
- Install sheet metal around insulated pipes with screws to protect the insulation from weather conditions or physical damage.
- Read blueprints and specifications to determine job requirements.
Skills and Knowledge
Top insulation workers, mechanical draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Related Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- AC Insulation Installer (Air Conditioning Insulation Installer)
- Blanket Maker
- Boiler Coverer
- Commercial Insulator
- Duct Insulator
- Firestopper Installer
- Firestopper Technician (Firestopper Tech)
- Heat and Frost Insulator
How Many Insulation Workers, Mechanical Are There?
The U.S. employs around 707,351 insulation workers, mechanical working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to decline by -3.5% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Insulation Workers, Mechanical Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $48,347 |
| Hourly median | $23.24 |
| 10th percentile | $28,498 |
| 25th percentile | $38,422 |
| 75th percentile | $58,272 |
| 90th percentile | $68,196 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Insulation Workers, Mechanical Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $123,560 |
| California | $119,890 |
| Nevada | $106,840 |
| Illinois | $100,640 |
| New Jersey | $98,060 |
| Minnesota | $96,650 |
| Alaska | $83,450 |
| Hawaii | $83,200 |
| Washington | $81,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,510 |
| Rhode Island | $79,590 |
| Arizona | $78,390 |
| Indiana | $73,870 |
| Wisconsin | $70,810 |
| Ohio | $67,900 |
| Michigan | $65,140 |
| New Mexico | $64,860 |
| West Virginia | $64,200 |
| Massachusetts | $63,060 |
| Maine | $61,980 |
| Missouri | $61,440 |
| New York | $60,960 |
| Connecticut | $60,230 |
| Delaware | $59,390 |
| Nebraska | $59,300 |
| North Dakota | $58,400 |
| Maryland | $58,240 |
| Virginia | $56,440 |
| Kansas | $56,370 |
| Kentucky | $55,800 |
| Louisiana | $54,390 |
| Alabama | $53,240 |
| North Carolina | $50,740 |
| Arkansas | $50,490 |
| Iowa | $50,450 |
| Wyoming | $50,290 |
| Texas | $50,110 |
| Georgia | $49,810 |
| South Dakota | $49,510 |
| South Carolina | $49,150 |
| Mississippi | $47,890 |
| Florida | $47,210 |
| Colorado | $47,060 |
| Oklahoma | $46,890 |
| Utah | $45,800 |
| Tennessee | $38,750 |
| Idaho | $35,440 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Compensation for insulation workers, mechanical vary by region. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $110,287 | 8.8% | 0.57 |
| Great Lakes | $72,724 | 14.6% | 1.13 |
| Middle Atlantic | $68,391 | 10.3% | 0.91 |
| Plains States | $65,029 | 11.0% | 1.83 |
| New England | $63,020 | 5.9% | 2.16 |
| Southeast | $50,235 | 24.0% | 1.15 |
| Southwest | $50,076 | 19.6% | 1.91 |
| Rocky Mountains | $46,449 | 5.8% | 2.60 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Insulation Workers, Mechanical
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $145,830 | 190 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | OR | $123,560 | 120 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | CA | $116,160 | |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $109,360 | 320 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | NV | $108,640 | |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $108,490 | 80 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | IL | $101,260 | |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | MN | $96,650 | 210 |
Industry Breakdown
The largest employers of insulation workers, mechanical work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 23,060 | $56,110 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 370 | $77,360 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 70 | $67,060 |
Insulation Workers, Mechanical work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Data base user interface and query software: CMSN FieldPAK
- Data base user interface and query software: Comput-Ability Mechanical Insulation Key Estimator
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: IBM Maximo Asset Management
- Analytical or scientific software: North American Insulation Manufacturers Association NAIMA 3E Plus
- Project management software: Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of insulation workers, mechanical tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Standing
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Getting Started in This Career
Entry-level insulation workers, mechanical positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
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Degree Programs
Aspiring insulation workers, mechanical often complete programs in:
Construction Trades
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 47-2132.00 (Insulation Workers, Mechanical).
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