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Insulation Workers, Mechanical: Job Description
Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
What Tasks Do Insulation Workers, Mechanical Take On?
The core tasks performed by insulation workers, mechanical span:
- 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
Successful insulation workers, mechanical rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Insulation Workers, Mechanical Jobs
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- 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
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 707,351 insulation workers, mechanical working in the United States today. Employment is projected to decline by -3.5% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Insulation Workers, Mechanical
| 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 |
Compensation varies 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 |
Pay by U.S. Region
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 |
Top Metro Areas
| 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 bulk 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 |
Below are examples of industries where insulation workers, mechanical work:
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 work environment for insulation workers, mechanical is shaped by 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
How to Become Insulation Workers, Mechanical
Most insulation workers, mechanical positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons (Primary-Long)
- Carpet Installers (Supplemental)
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (Primary-Short)
- Tile and Stone Setters (Supplemental)
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (Primary-Short)
- Tapers (Supplemental)
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (Primary-Short)
- Pipelayers (Primary-Short)
Where to Study
Future insulation workers, mechanical commonly pursue programs in:
Construction Trades
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Statistics shown above are sourced from 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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