Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
National median · BLS
$58,340
▲ +1.9%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$65,530
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
25,660
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Insulation Workers, Mechanical
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$42,470
25th
$48,100
Median (50th)
$58,340
75th
$77,360
90th — top pay
$100,220
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Insulation Workers, Mechanical
BLS projects employment of insulation workers, mechanical to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 1,800 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
26,700 → 28,100
+1,400 jobs
Projected change
+5.1%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,800
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Apprenticeship
Self-employed
1.8% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
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Insulation Workers, Mechanical salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
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Skills & tools
Skills needed for Insulation Workers, Mechanical
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Active Listening3.0
Coordination3.0
Critical Thinking3.0
Monitoring3.0
Time Management3.0
Judgment and Decision Making2.9
Speaking2.9
Active Learning2.8
Operations Monitoring2.8
Quality Control Analysis2.8
Top knowledge areas
Building and Construction4.3
Customer and Personal Service4.1
Mechanical4.1
Administration and Management4.0
Education and Training3.9
Mathematics3.8
Production and Processing3.7
Public Safety and Security3.7
Software and technology used
CMSN FieldPAKComput-Ability Mechanical Insulation Key EstimatorIBM Maximo Asset ManagementNorth American Insulation Manufacturers Association NAIMA 3E PlusTurtle Creek Software Goldenseal
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What insulation workers, mechanical do
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.
AC Insulation Installer (Air Conditioning Insulation Installer)Blanket MakerBoiler CovererDuct InsulatorFirestopper InstallerFirestopper Technician (Firestopper Tech)Industrial Pipe InsulatorInsulation Machine OperatorInsulation Power Unit TenderInsulation Technician (Insulation Tech)Marine InsulatorPipe CovererPipe Coverer and InsulatorPipe InsulatorRefrigeration InsulatorSheet Metal Insulator
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Insulation Workers, Mechanical, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $58,340.
