The median annual wage for insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall was $35,040 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,140, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $61,980.
The median annual wage for insulation workers, mechanical was $43,610 in May 2015.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,710.
The starting pay for apprentices is usually near 50 percent of what fully trained insulators make. As apprentices learn to do more, they receive pay increases.
In some areas, workers receive a per diem to offset travel costs.
Although most insulators work full time, more than 40 hours a week may be required to meet construction schedules. Those who insulate outdoors may have to stop work when it rains or during very cold weather.
Union Membership
Compared with workers in all occupations, insulation workers had a higher percentage of workers who belonged to a union in 2014.
Insulation Workers
Median annual wages, May 2015
Insulation workers, mechanical
$43,610
Construction trades workers
$41,020
Insulation workers
$38,630
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall
$35,040
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics