Headline risk
2%
Very Low RiskInsulation workers, mechanical
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 10% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 57,250
Employment 2024
27.2K
Projected Change (2024–34)
4.7%
Openings (2024–34)
2.3K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of insulation workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors. AI use: 0%
- 2. Fit insulation around obstructions, and shape insulating materials and protective coverings as required. AI use: 0%
- 3. 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. AI use: 0%
- 4. Select appropriate insulation, such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material. AI use: 0%
- 5. Determine the amounts and types of insulation needed, and methods of installation, based on factors such as location, surface shape, and equipment use. AI use: 0%
- 6. Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement, or asphalt mastic. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 36.0 · 1.1M employed
Under 25: 32% · 25–54: 47% · 55+: 21%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
title_match · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Insulation workers install and replace the materials used to insulate buildings or mechanical systems.
Insulators generally work indoors. Mechanical insulators work both indoors and outdoors, sometimes in extreme temperatures. They spend most of their workday standing, bending, or kneeling, often in confined spaces.
Floor, ceiling, and wall insulators typically learn their trade on the job. Mechanical insulators may complete an apprenticeship program after earning a high school diploma or equivalent.
The median annual wage for insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall was $48,680 in May 2024.
Overall employment of insulation workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.