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Insulation Workers, Mechanical in West Virginia

Considering working as an Insulation Workers, Mechanical in West Virginia? Here’s what you need to know. Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.

What do Insulation Workers, Mechanical Make in West Virginia?

For a insulation workers, mechanical working in West Virginia, wages run about $64,200 per year (or about $30.86/hour).Annual wages span from $54,860 at the 10th percentile to $97,070 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$54,860	$26.37
25th percentile	$62,600	$30.10
Median (50th)	$64,200	$30.86
75th percentile	$92,390	$44.42
90th percentile	$97,070	$46.67

The job concentration index in West Virginia relative to the national average — is 0.97.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, insulation workers, mechanical earn a median of $48,347 per year ($23.24/hour), above the West Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 707,351 insulation workers, mechanical in the U.S.. In West Virginia alone, approximately 110 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 360 insulation workers, mechanical.

Top West Virginia Metros for Insulation Workers, Mechanical

The largest metro-area employers of insulation workers, mechanical in West Virginia.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Charleston, WV	30	$63,700

Top States for Insulation Workers, Mechanical Employment

The table below shows the states where the most insulation workers, mechanical work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	4,550
California	1,260
New York	1,250
Ohio	1,210
Florida	1,100
Missouri	1,080
Virginia	950
Massachusetts	920
Michigan	890
Georgia	890
North Carolina	820
Indiana	690
Pennsylvania	680
Colorado	640
Louisiana	640
South Carolina	560
Tennessee	550
Minnesota	460
Illinois	450
Maine	430

Highest-Paying States for Insulation Workers, Mechanical

Where insulation workers, mechanical earn the most: insulation workers, mechanical.

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

Skills

The most important insulation workers, mechanical skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for insulation workers, mechanical, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Insulation Workers, Mechanical typically:

• 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.
• Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.

Work Activities

• Handling and Moving Objects
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Getting Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Training and Teaching Others
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
• Scheduling Work and Activities

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include:

• CMSN FieldPAK (data base user interface and query software)
• Comput-Ability Mechanical Insulation Key Estimator (data base user interface and query software)
• IBM Maximo Asset Management (enterprise resource planning erp software)
• North American Insulation Manufacturers Association NAIMA 3E Plus (analytical or scientific software)
• Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal (project management software)

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

• Building Management & Inspection

Related Careers

Other careers like insulation workers, mechanical include:

• Brickmasons and Blockmasons
• Carpet Installers
• Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
• Tile and Stone Setters
• Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
• Tapers

Also Known 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, Industrial Insulator, Industrial Pipe Insulator, Insulation Installer, Insulation Machine Operator, Insulation Mechanic, Insulation Power Unit Tender, Insulation Technician (Insulation Tech).

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-2132.00