Insulation Workers, Mechanical
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
Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
What insulation workers, mechanical do
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.
- Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Insulation Workers, Mechanical salary
The median annual wage for insulation workers, mechanical is $58,340 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $42,470 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $100,220. The mean annual wage is $65,530.
The mean hourly wage of $31.00 is 4.3× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Insulation Workers, Mechanical (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $58,340 → in 3 years $64,400 → in 5 years $68,800 → in 10 years $81,100 (10-year range $69,700–$94,100). The model assumes pay growth of +3.4% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Insulation Workers, Mechanical
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Insulation Workers, Mechanical? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Insulation Workers, Mechanical
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical United States | 保温工事 Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $58,340 | ¥4.67M ≈ $29,690 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $81,100 | ¥6.49M |
| Outlook score | 58 | 61 |
| AI replacement risk | 11% Very low | 26% Low |
| Workers | 26K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Insulation Workers, Mechanical
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become insulation workers, mechanical
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as insulation workers, mechanical
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.