Insulation workers, mechanical salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Mean (average) | $65,530 | $31.50 |
| 90th percentile | $100,220 | $48.19 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Insulation workers, mechanical pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 44 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,930 | $42,120 | $58,200 | ||
| Alaska | $84,410 | $60,150 | $103,610 | 40 | 0.72 |
| Arizona | $80,410 | $46,570 | $90,240 | ||
| Arkansas | $51,390 | $46,770 | $81,870 | 130 | 0.61 |
| California | $119,690 | $57,700 | $165,540 | 1,310 | 0.43 |
| Colorado | $49,050 | $44,780 | $68,880 | 520 | 1.09 |
| Delaware | $44,850 | $38,460 | $77,300 | 340 | 4.31 |
| Florida | $49,660 | $36,730 | $61,550 | 480 | 0.29 |
| Georgia | $52,600 | $39,830 | $64,000 | 660 | 0.81 |
| Hawaii | $87,570 | $63,380 | $115,450 | ||
| Illinois | $100,400 | $57,350 | $115,290 | 1,100 | 1.1 |
| Indiana | $72,220 | $46,740 | $94,990 | 1,320 | 2.5 |
| Iowa | $54,440 | $42,320 | $65,990 | 140 | 0.55 |
| Kansas | $49,050 | $45,340 | $62,370 | 130 | 0.54 |
| Kentucky | $46,150 | $42,630 | $61,510 | ||
| Louisiana | $48,280 | $37,330 | $58,870 | 620 | 1.95 |
| Maine | $63,580 | $51,090 | $73,690 | 400 | 3.75 |
| Maryland | $70,030 | $48,110 | $83,930 | 450 | 0.98 |
| Massachusetts | $64,710 | $43,760 | $78,390 | 560 | 0.94 |
| Michigan | $58,860 | $47,420 | $82,240 | 650 | 0.9 |
| Minnesota | $105,670 | $54,090 | $115,850 | 250 | 0.51 |
| Mississippi | $50,180 | $36,660 | $70,720 | 120 | 0.65 |
| Missouri | $78,660 | $48,290 | $92,980 | 830 | 1.7 |
| Nebraska | $75,940 | $40,570 | $83,380 | 130 | 0.76 |
| Nevada | $114,130 | $51,840 | $123,770 | 250 | 0.97 |
| New Jersey | $107,610 | $73,290 | $124,160 | 330 | 0.47 |
| New Mexico | $53,120 | $44,470 | $73,990 | ||
| New York | $59,120 | $45,540 | $97,560 | 1,490 | 0.93 |
| North Carolina | $48,430 | $35,240 | $57,020 | 1,090 | 1.33 |
| North Dakota | $58,140 | $46,920 | $74,550 | 400 | 5.65 |
| Ohio | $67,600 | $47,640 | $84,540 | 990 | 1.08 |
| Oklahoma | $61,840 | $38,820 | $75,450 | 250 | 0.9 |
| Oregon | $119,480 | $78,880 | $161,450 | 170 | 0.53 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,770 | $49,000 | $101,850 | 590 | 0.59 |
| Rhode Island | $77,150 | $59,350 | $97,870 | 60 | 0.69 |
| South Carolina | $50,440 | $43,490 | $80,460 | 630 | 1.65 |
| Tennessee | $46,380 | $36,980 | $73,570 | 670 | 1.23 |
| Texas | $48,930 | $39,480 | $60,380 | 4,190 | 1.8 |
| Utah | $55,990 | $40,540 | $112,060 | 380 | 1.31 |
| Virginia | $57,010 | $41,010 | $63,500 | 1,350 | 1.99 |
| Washington | $92,120 | $60,150 | $129,790 | 500 | 0.85 |
| West Virginia | $74,200 | $57,330 | $93,960 | 90 | 0.81 |
| Wisconsin | $85,120 | $50,800 | $94,680 | 600 | 1.24 |
| Wyoming | $48,190 | $46,030 | $62,080 | 540 | 11.72 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for insulation workers, mechanical
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,800. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 1.8%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for insulation workers, mechanical
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Insulator CIP 46.0414
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- CMSN FieldPAK
- Comput-Ability Mechanical Insulation Key Estimator
- IBM Maximo Asset Management
- North American Insulation Manufacturers Association NAIMA 3E Plus
- Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
Transferable skills for career changers: Coordination, Time Management, Judgment and Decision Making, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Social Perceptiveness.
Common job titles: Commercial Insulator, Heat and Frost Insulator, Industrial Insulator, Insulation Installer, Insulation Mechanic, Insulation Worker, Insulator, Insulator Journeyman, Mechanic Insulator, Mechanical Insulator.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do insulation workers, mechanical make?
The national median annual wage for insulation workers, mechanical was $58,340 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $42,470 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $100,220. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do insulation workers, mechanical need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and apprenticeship on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is insulation workers, mechanical a growing career?
BLS projects employment of insulation workers, mechanical to change +5.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,800 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay insulation workers, mechanical the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were California ($119,690), Oregon ($119,480), Nevada ($114,130). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.