SOC 47-2132.00Bright outlook

    Insulation Workers, Mechanical

    Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.

    Median pay
    $58,340
    Growth
    +5.1%
    Faster than average
    Openings a year
    1,800
    Typical education
    High school diploma

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $42,470
    Median
    $58,340
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $100,220
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    25,660 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Mechanical insulation workers install insulating materials on pipes, ducts, and mechanical systems to regulate temperatures. The career offers a median annual pay of $58,340, with opportunities for hands-on work in the construction and extraction sector.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What insulation workers, mechanical do

    Job Zone 2: Some preparation

    Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.

    Usually a high school diploma; some on-the-job training or experience.

    What the work is like

    People in this career spend their days handling and moving objects, performing physical tasks, and inspecting equipment, structures, or materials. They monitor processes and surroundings to ensure insulation is applied correctly to control temperatures in mechanical systems. The job requires a strong realistic interest, meaning workers enjoy practical, hands-on activities.

    To succeed, workers must coordinate their movements, manage their time, and use critical thinking to solve problems on-site. They need knowledge of building, construction, and mechanical systems, alongside basic mathematics and public safety standards. Strong communication skills are necessary for interacting with supervisors and peers, and experienced workers may train others. Key work styles for this role include dependability, carefulness, cooperation, and a strong attention to detail.

    How to get there

    Entering this field typically requires a high school diploma. Because this occupation is classified as needing some preparation, individuals usually gain the necessary skills through on-the-job training or prior work experience. Relevant college majors that can lead to this career include building or construction finishing, management, and inspection.

    While entering the field is straightforward, workers can pursue professional credentials to demonstrate their skills. The High Performance Insulation Professional - Entry certification is available through the High Performance Insulation Professionals organization. Additionally, some states list a license for this type of work, so requirements can vary depending on the location of employment.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for mechanical insulation workers is $58,340. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% of workers earning less than $42,470 and the highest 10% earning more than $100,220.

    There are 25,660 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 5.1%, which is faster than average. This growth, along with normal turnover, is expected to result in 1,800 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    99 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    24 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    0 / 100
    Social (S)
    4 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    0 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    54 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RCI. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Handling and Moving Objects
    87
    Performing General Physical Activities
    86
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    77
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    77
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    75
    Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    72
    Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
    71
    Getting Information
    66
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    64
    Training and Teaching Others
    64
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Active Listening
    • Coordination
    • Critical Thinking
    • Monitoring
    • Time Management
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Speaking
    • Active Learning
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Quality Control Analysis

    Knowledge

    • Building and Construction
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Mechanical
    • Administration and Management
    • Education and Training
    • Mathematics
    • Production and Processing
    • Public Safety and Security
    • English Language
    • Design

    Abilities

    • Trunk Strength
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Gross Body Equilibrium
    • Information Ordering
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension

    Work styles

    • Dependability
    • Attention to Detail
    • Cautiousness
    • Perseverance
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Integrity
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Cooperation
    • Self-Confidence
    • Self-Control

    Also called

    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 · Industrial Insulator · Industrial Pipe Insulator

    Career pathway

    From your interests to insulation workers, mechanical

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Insulation Workers, Mechanical$58,340 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1
      Utah Valley University

      Orem, UT · Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $82,443
      4 yrs after
      $97,793
      Median debt
      $11,042
    2. 2The University of Texas at San Antonio logo
      The University of Texas at San Antonio

      San Antonio, TX · Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $74,627
      4 yrs after
      $90,691
      Median debt
      $17,750
    3. 3Tuskegee University logo
      Tuskegee University

      Tuskegee, AL · Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $74,054
      4 yrs after
      $87,107
      Median debt
      Not reported
    4. 4
      Pennsylvania College of Technology

      Williamsport, PA · Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $69,819
      4 yrs after
      $74,310
      Median debt
      $27,000

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What insulation workers, mechanical may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Insulator

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    23 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about insulation workers, mechanical

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for this career?

    Workers in this field are also known as commercial insulators, duct insulators, industrial pipe insulators, and blanket makers. Other common titles include firestopper technicians, heat and frost insulators, and air conditioning insulation installers.

    What are the main physical and mental demands of this job?

    The work involves general physical activities, handling materials, and inspecting mechanical systems. Workers must stay focused, pay close attention to detail, and use active listening and decision-making skills to complete installations safely.

    Is a license required to work as a mechanical insulation worker?

    A license is not universally required, but some states do list a license for this work. Prospective workers should check the specific regulations in their state.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.