47 Series · SOC 47-2132
Insulation Workers, Mechanical Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $58,340
- Median / year
- $100,220
- Top 10% earn
- +4.7%
- Growth '23–'33
- 25,660
- US workers
Insulation Workers, Mechanical earn a median of $58,340 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $58,340, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $42,470 (10th percentile) to $100,220 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 25,660 US workers. California pays the most ($119,690), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Insulation Workers, Mechanical earn a median of $58,340, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 45% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Construction and Extraction, it ranks #26 of 60 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 4.7% by 2033.
- $58,340
- Median annual wage
- Top 55%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #26 of 60
- in Construction and Extraction
- 2.4×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: California at $119,690. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Insulation Workers, Mechanical (SOC 47-2132) pays a national median of $58,340 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $42,470 at the 10th percentile to $100,220 at the 90th, with a mean of $65,530 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 25,660 Americans work in this occupation across 44 reporting states and 85 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +4.7% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as about average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 2,300 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and apprenticeship of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 12.4 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.5 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. California pays the highest state median at $119,690, which is +105% above the national figure. The top metro is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $136,460 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
Median Salary
$58,340
per year
Median Hourly
$28.05/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$65,530
average
Employment
25,660
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Insulation Workers, Mechanical pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$58,340 Bottom 45% higher than 45% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 47-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Insulation Workers, Mechanical; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 25 47-series occupations with growth data, Insulation Workers, Mechanical sits on the slower-growing side at +4.7% growth and $58,340 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+4.7%
About average
Annual Openings
2,300
per year (projected)
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-Job Training
Apprenticeship
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
12.4/100K
Injury Rate
3.5/100
Danger Index
20.2/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Insulation Workers, Mechanical roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key 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.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$42,470
25th Percentile
$48,100
Median
$58,340
75th Percentile
$77,360
90th Percentile
$100,220
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 44 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $119,690 | +105% above national |
| 2 | Oregon | $119,480 | +105% above national |
| 3 | Nevada | $114,130 | +96% above national |
| 4 | New Jersey | $107,610 | +84% above national |
| 5 | Minnesota | $105,670 | +81% above national |
| 6 | Illinois | $100,400 | +72% above national |
| 7 | Washington | $92,120 | +58% above national |
| 8 | Hawaii | $87,570 | +50% above national |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $85,120 | +46% above national |
| 10 | Alaska | $84,410 | +45% above national |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $80,770 | +38% above national |
| 12 | Arizona | $80,410 | +38% above national |
| 13 | Missouri | $78,660 | +35% above national |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $77,150 | +32% above national |
| 15 | Nebraska | $75,940 | +30% above national |
| 16 | West Virginia | $74,200 | +27% above national |
| 17 | Indiana | $72,220 | +24% above national |
| 18 | Maryland | $70,030 | +20% above national |
| 19 | Ohio | $67,600 | +16% above national |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $64,710 | +11% above national |
| 21 | Maine | $63,580 | +9% above national |
| 22 | Oklahoma | $61,840 | +6% above national |
| 23 | New York | $59,120 | +1% above national |
| 24 | Michigan | $58,860 | +1% above national |
| 25 | North Dakota | $58,140 | same as national |
| 26 | Virginia | $57,010 | 2% below national |
| 27 | Utah | $55,990 | 4% below national |
| 28 | Iowa | $54,440 | 7% below national |
| 29 | New Mexico | $53,120 | 9% below national |
| 30 | Georgia | $52,600 | 10% below national |
| 31 | Arkansas | $51,390 | 12% below national |
| 32 | South Carolina | $50,440 | 14% below national |
| 33 | Mississippi | $50,180 | 14% below national |
| 34 | Florida | $49,660 | 15% below national |
| 35 | Colorado | $49,050 | 16% below national |
| 36 | Kansas | $49,050 | 16% below national |
| 37 | Alabama | $48,930 | 16% below national |
| 38 | Texas | $48,930 | 16% below national |
| 39 | North Carolina | $48,430 | 17% below national |
| 40 | Louisiana | $48,280 | 17% below national |
| 41 | Wyoming | $48,190 | 17% below national |
| 42 | Tennessee | $46,380 | 21% below national |
| 43 | Kentucky | $46,150 | 21% below national |
| 44 | Delaware | $44,850 | 23% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 85 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $136,460 | +134% above national |
| 2 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,750 | +117% above national |
| 3 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $124,090 | +113% above national |
| 4 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $121,870 | +109% above national |
| 5 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $112,280 | +92% above national |
| 6 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $109,360 | +87% above national |
| 7 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,690 | +78% above national |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $100,520 | +72% above national |
| 9 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $93,960 | +61% above national |
| 10 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $92,680 | +59% above national |
| 11 | Madison, WI | $91,470 | +57% above national |
| 12 | Reno, NV | $89,600 | +54% above national |
| 13 | Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $88,090 | +51% above national |
| 14 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $87,570 | +50% above national |
| 15 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $86,310 | +48% above national |
| 16 | Appleton, WI | $85,580 | +47% above national |
| 17 | Anchorage, AK | $84,410 | +45% above national |
| 18 | Syracuse, NY | $82,950 | +42% above national |
| 19 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $81,340 | +39% above national |
| 20 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $80,410 | +38% above national |
| 21 | Pittsburgh, PA | $80,050 | +37% above national |
| 22 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $79,470 | +36% above national |
| 23 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,240 | +36% above national |
| 24 | Omaha, NE-IA | $79,060 | +36% above national |
| 25 | Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $78,350 | +34% above national |
| 26 | Columbus, OH | $76,590 | +31% above national |
| 27 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $75,910 | +30% above national |
| 28 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $75,490 | +29% above national |
| 29 | Tulsa, OK | $75,030 | +29% above national |
| 30 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $74,840 | +28% above national |
| 31 | Toledo, OH | $74,580 | +28% above national |
| 32 | Oklahoma City, OK | $74,490 | +28% above national |
| 33 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $70,690 | +21% above national |
| 34 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $69,730 | +20% above national |
| 35 | Cleveland, OH | $69,690 | +19% above national |
| 36 | West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $64,230 | +10% above national |
| 37 | Akron, OH | $63,660 | +9% above national |
| 38 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $63,630 | +9% above national |
| 39 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $63,580 | +9% above national |
| 40 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,660 | +6% above national |
| 41 | South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $60,050 | +3% above national |
| 42 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $59,740 | +2% above national |
| 43 | Bismarck, ND | $58,480 | same as national |
| 44 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $58,310 | same as national |
| 45 | West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $58,140 | same as national |
| 46 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $58,100 | same as national |
| 47 | Fargo, ND-MN | $57,600 | 1% below national |
| 48 | Rochester, NY | $57,160 | 2% below national |
| 49 | Albuquerque, NM | $56,990 | 2% below national |
| 50 | Savannah, GA | $56,350 | 3% below national |
| 51 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $56,080 | 4% below national |
| 52 | York-Hanover, PA | $55,380 | 5% below national |
| 53 | Odessa, TX | $52,760 | 10% below national |
| 54 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $52,200 | 11% below national |
| 55 | Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $51,660 | 11% below national |
| 56 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $51,350 | 12% below national |
| 57 | Baton Rouge, LA | $51,230 | 12% below national |
| 58 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $51,230 | 12% below national |
| 59 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $51,080 | 12% below national |
| 60 | South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $50,880 | 13% below national |
| 61 | Jackson, MS | $50,180 | 14% below national |
| 62 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $50,050 | 14% below national |
| 63 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $49,800 | 15% below national |
| 64 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $49,660 | 15% below national |
| 65 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $49,570 | 15% below national |
| 66 | Richmond, VA | $49,460 | 15% below national |
| 67 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $49,450 | 15% below national |
| 68 | Florence, SC | $49,070 | 16% below national |
| 69 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $49,050 | 16% below national |
| 70 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $48,920 | 16% below national |
| 71 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $48,910 | 16% below national |
| 72 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $48,540 | 17% below national |
| 73 | Longview, TX | $47,980 | 18% below national |
| 74 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $47,960 | 18% below national |
| 75 | Corpus Christi, TX | $47,830 | 18% below national |
| 76 | Lafayette, LA | $47,820 | 18% below national |
| 77 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $47,770 | 18% below national |
| 78 | Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $47,680 | 18% below national |
| 79 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $47,540 | 19% below national |
| 80 | Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $47,460 | 19% below national |
| 81 | Columbia, SC | $46,970 | 19% below national |
| 82 | Knoxville, TN | $46,330 | 21% below national |
| 83 | Casper, WY | $46,190 | 21% below national |
| 84 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $45,900 | 21% below national |
| 85 | Wilmington, NC | $45,730 | 22% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 47 (construction and extraction) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Insulation Workers, Mechanical make? ▼
What state pays Insulation Workers, Mechanical the most? ▼
What education do you need to become a Insulation Workers, Mechanical? ▼
How dangerous is being a Insulation Workers, Mechanical? ▼
Is Insulation Workers, Mechanical a good career? ▼
How does Insulation Workers, Mechanical pay vary by state? ▼
Which metro areas pay the most for Insulation Workers, Mechanical? ▼
What to do with this data
How to use Insulation Workers, Mechanical pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $77,360/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: California leads at $119,690/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.