Occupations/47-2132.00

Insulation Workers, Mechanical

Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.

High school

Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.

AI automation risk

31%

More resilient

Human characteristics

52%

Balanced human and task mix

Task orientation

44%

Mixed exposure

A day in this job

Task
Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.
Task
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.
Task
Select appropriate insulation, such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.

These are core tasks from O*NET. The wording didn’t clearly split routine from human, so they are listed without that label.

Core tasks

01Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.
02Apply, 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.
03Select appropriate insulation, such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
04Fit insulation around obstructions, and shape insulating materials and protective coverings as required.
05Determine the amounts and types of insulation needed, and methods of installation, based on factors such as location, surface shape, and equipment use.
06Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement, or asphalt mastic.

Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)

Repeating same tasks2.44
Degree of automation1.41
Time sitting1.46
Originality (ability)2.25
Conflict situations2.88
Hands-on objects/tools4.56
Outdoors / weather3.29
Disease exposure1.48
Decision freedom4.23

Top abilities

Trunk Strength3.38
Problem Sensitivity3.25
Extent Flexibility3.25
Static Strength3.12
Selective Attention3.12
Oral Expression3.12
Oral Comprehension3.12
Near Vision3.12

Essential skills

Reading Comprehension2.75
Active Listening3.00
Writing2.00
Speaking2.88
Mathematics2.12
Science1.38
Critical Thinking3.00
Active Learning2.75
Learning Strategies2.12
Monitoring3.00

CIP matches

46.0414Insulator

Schools offering related programs

10 shown

Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.

Institution	Program	Tuition	Admit	Grad 6-yr	Earnings
University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public	Insulator 46.0414	$17,400	64%	83%	1 yr $55,443 2 yr $48,198 Bachelor's · CIP 46.04
Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN · Public	Insulator 46.0414	$9,800	71%	61%	1 yr — 2 yr $52,107 Certificate · CIP 46.04
Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN · Public	Insulator 46.0414	$9,900	77%	58%	1 yr — 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 46.04
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public	Insulator 46.0414	$6,000	100%	31%	1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 46.04
Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN · Public	Insulator 46.0414	$6,200	100%	33%	1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported
Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN · Public	Insulator 46.0414	$6,200	100%	38%	1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported
Ridgewater College Willmar, MN · Public	Insulator 46.0414	$6,100	100%	36%	1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MN · Public	Insulator 46.0414	$6,000	100%	37%	1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA · Public	Insulator 46.0414	$5,700	100%	35%	1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 46.04
Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN · Public	Insulator 46.0414	$6,300	100%	48%	1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported