Insulation Workers, Mechanical Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for insulation workers, mechanical in the U.S. is $58,340 ($28.05 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $58,340
- Mean annual wage
- $65,530
- Median hourly wage
- $28.05
- Employment
- 25,660
25,660 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| 25th percentile | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Median (50th) | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| 75th percentile | $77,360 | $37.19 |
| 90th percentile | $100,220 | $48.19 |
Highest-paying states for insulation workers, mechanical
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $119,690 | 1,310 |
| Oregon | $119,480 | 170 |
| Nevada | $114,130 | 250 |
| New Jersey | $107,610 | 330 |
| Minnesota | $105,670 | 250 |
| Illinois | $100,400 | 1,100 |
| Washington | $92,120 | 500 |
| Hawaii | $87,570 | — |
| Wisconsin | $85,120 | 600 |
| Alaska | $84,410 | 40 |
Lowest-paying states
- Delaware: $44,850 median annual wage
- Kentucky: $46,150 median annual wage
- Tennessee: $46,380 median annual wage
- Wyoming: $48,190 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $48,280 median annual wage
About this occupation
Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.
- Read blueprints and specifications to determine job requirements.
- Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 26.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 46.9% |
| Some college, no degree | 14.7% |
| Associate's degree | 7.3% |
| Bachelor's degree | 4.3% |
| Master's degree | 0.5% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.1% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Construction Laborers$47,120
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$79,920
- Electricians$63,190
- Carpenters$60,580
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$59,850
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$63,800
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$49,400
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$57,020
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.