How much does a insulation worker make?
The median insulation worker in the United States earns $57,250 per year, about $27.52 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all insulation workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-2132.
Insulation worker salary range
Pay for insulation workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,450 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $94,110. The average (mean) wage of $63,540 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,450 | $18.97 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,480 | $22.83 | |
| Median (50th) | $57,250 | $27.52 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $75,300 | $36.20 | |
| 90th percentile | $94,110 | $45.25 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for insulation workers, mechanical (SOC 47-2132), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Insulation worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Insulation workers earn the most in Oregon at $123,560 a year, and the least in Idaho at $35,440. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $123,560 | 170 |
| California | $119,890 | 1,260 |
| Nevada | $106,840 | 290 |
| Illinois | $100,640 | 450 |
| New Jersey | $98,060 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $96,650 | 460 |
| Alaska | $83,450 | 40 |
| Hawaii | $83,200 | 70 |
| Washington | $81,440 | 360 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,510 | 680 |
| Rhode Island | $79,590 | 40 |
| Arizona | $78,390 | N/A |
| Indiana | $73,870 | 690 |
| Wisconsin | $70,810 | 400 |
| Ohio | $67,900 | 1,210 |
| Michigan | $65,140 | 890 |
| New Mexico | $64,860 | 50 |
| West Virginia | $64,200 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $63,060 | 920 |
| Maine | $61,980 | 430 |
| Missouri | $61,440 | 1,080 |
| New York | $60,960 | 1,250 |
| Connecticut | $60,230 | 90 |
| Delaware | $59,390 | 240 |
| Nebraska | $59,300 | 380 |
| North Dakota | $58,400 | 190 |
| Maryland | $58,240 | 210 |
| Virginia | $56,440 | 950 |
| Kansas | $56,370 | 330 |
| Kentucky | $55,800 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $54,390 | 640 |
| Alabama | $53,240 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $50,740 | 820 |
| Arkansas | $50,490 | 110 |
| Iowa | $50,450 | 300 |
| Wyoming | $50,290 | 330 |
| Texas | $50,110 | 4,550 |
| Georgia | $49,810 | 890 |
| South Dakota | $49,510 | N/A |
| South Carolina | $49,150 | 560 |
| Mississippi | $47,890 | 140 |
| Florida | $47,210 | 1,100 |
| Colorado | $47,060 | 640 |
| Oklahoma | $46,890 | 280 |
| Utah | $45,800 | 350 |
| Tennessee | $38,750 | 550 |
| Idaho | $35,440 | 130 |
State median wages for insulation workers, mechanical (SOC 47-2132), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for insulation workers
The BLS projects employment of insulation workers to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 26,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 28,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,800 openings a year for insulation workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an insulation worker
The typical entry-level education for insulation workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete a formal apprenticeship to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an insulation worker earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $123,560) and the lowest (Idaho, $35,440) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 25,640 people work as insulation workers in the United States. At $57,250 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Insulation worker salary FAQ
How much does an insulation worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an insulation worker is $27.52. The middle half of insulation workers earn between $22.83 and $36.20 per hour.
What is the highest insulation worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of insulation workers earn more than $94,110 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an insulation worker make a year?
The median annual salary for an insulation worker is $57,250. The average (mean) wage of $63,540 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an insulation worker a well paid job?
At $57,250 a year, an insulation worker earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 25,640 people work as insulation workers in the United States.
Which state pays insulation workers the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for insulation workers at $123,560 a year. California ($119,890) and Nevada ($106,840) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an insulation worker a good career?
Employment of insulation workers is projected to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an insulation worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for insulation workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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