All careers › Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Insulation installer: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $37,030lowest 10% earn less
- $43,20025th percentile
- $49,120median
- $60,98075th percentile
- $78,190top 10% earn more
Insulation installers in floor, ceiling and wall work earned a median of $49,120 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +2.4%[2]
- Openings per year
- 3,000[5]
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential[6]
How much do insulation installers make?
BLS calls this job Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall. The median wage was $49,120 a year, or $23.62 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $54,740 a year, or $26.32 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median was $50,980 a year[4], so this job sits a little below that line.
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37,030 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $43,200[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $60,980, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $78,190[3]. In hourly terms, those four marks were $17.80, $20.77, $29.32 and $37.59[8].
BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries between groups of workers[9]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not count bonuses or the cost of benefits[10].
Pay by state and city
Nebraska had the highest median at $73,140, followed by Washington at $67,750 and Mississippi at $62,880[11]. West Virginia had the lowest listed median at $35,390[11]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Columbus, OH led at $80,000, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $76,170 and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $71,980[12].
The most jobs were in Texas (7,120), California (3,080) and Florida (2,690)[13]. The metro areas with the most jobs were Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX (2,430), Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (2,100) and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (1,500)[14].
Show median pay in 48 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska[11] | $73,140 | 310 |
| Washington | $67,750 | 2,330 |
| Mississippi | $62,880 | 290 |
| Oregon | $60,210 | 700 |
| New York | $59,100 | 1,600 |
| Maryland | $58,420 | 1,240 |
| Ohio | $58,400 | 870 |
| Alaska | $56,470 | 170 |
| Missouri | $56,040 | 830 |
| Iowa | $55,820 | 460 |
| Indiana | $54,630 | 780 |
| Minnesota | $54,350 | 1,090 |
| Delaware | $53,570 | 280 |
| Vermont | $53,570 | 110 |
| Illinois | $53,000 | 780 |
| New Jersey | $52,750 | 820 |
| Kansas | $51,520 | 430 |
| New Hampshire | $51,320 | 230 |
| Colorado | $50,800 | 1,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,600 | 610 |
| Kentucky | $49,730 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $49,520 | 650 |
| Massachusetts | $48,940 | 710 |
| California | $48,840 | 3,080 |
| Alabama | $48,740 | 660 |
| Texas | $48,740 | 7,120 |
| Connecticut | $48,550 | 300 |
| New Mexico | $48,460 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $48,410 | 1,160 |
| Montana | $48,100 | 490 |
| Georgia | $47,810 | 900 |
| Maine | $47,790 | 440 |
| Louisiana | $47,340 | 1,610 |
| Florida | $47,100 | 2,690 |
| South Carolina | $47,020 | 730 |
| Oklahoma | $46,880 | 570 |
| Nevada | $46,510 | 660 |
| Michigan | $46,490 | 710 |
| North Dakota | $46,450 | 260 |
| Wyoming | $46,200 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $45,820 | 340 |
| Virginia | $44,810 | n/a |
| Arkansas | $43,730 | 350 |
| North Carolina | $42,990 | 2,090 |
| Arizona | $42,210 | 780 |
| Idaho | $41,550 | 330 |
| Utah | $40,080 | 300 |
| West Virginia | $35,390 | 70 |
How to become an insulation installer
The typical path needs no formal educational credential and no related work experience[6]. The OOH profile for this group describes a wider set of insulation jobs, so some training details below come from that broader text[15].
- First: no specific education is required for floor, ceiling and wall insulators. Math, mechanical drawing and science classes in high school are helpful[16].
- Next: learn on the job. Typical training is short-term on-the-job training[6]. New workers get required OSHA safety training on handling insulation and on asbestos abatement[17].
- Then: work alongside experienced insulators to learn the equipment for spray insulation[17].
Anyone who removes or handles asbestos must complete training from a program approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and some states also require a license for asbestos abatement[18]. Optional certification is also available[19].
In an O*NET survey of 22 workers, 68% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required and 29% said less than a high school diploma[20]. The survey is small, so treat it as a rough picture.
What insulation installers do
They line and cover structures with insulating materials, which can be batt, roll or blown insulation[21]. Typical tasks include:
- Measuring and cutting insulation to fit surfaces[22].
- Fitting, wrapping, stapling or gluing insulation in place[22].
- Blowing insulation evenly into small spaces in floors, ceilings and walls[22].
- Filling blower hoppers and running the controls[22].
- Sealing or finishing insulated surfaces and access holes[22].
- Reading blueprints and choosing the right insulation for a space[22].
- Taking out old insulation, including asbestos, with safety procedures[22].
- Preparing surfaces with adhesives or metal pins[22].
Where they work
Insulators generally work indoors, and they may work at height on scaffolding, work platforms or ladders[23]. Injury and illness rates for floor, ceiling and wall insulators are among the highest of any occupation. Falls from ladders and cuts from knives are common hazards, and insulation particles can irritate the eyes, skin and lungs[24]. Workers may wear protective suits and respirators[24].
Most insulators work full time, and they may need to work more than 40 hours a week to meet construction deadlines[25]. Outdoor work may stop in bad weather[25]. Drywall and insulation contractors employed 66% of insulation workers in the OOH profile[26].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 45,100 to 46,200 jobs[2]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[27]. About 3,000 openings a year are projected[5]. Those openings include jobs left by workers who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2% of workers leave the labor force and 4.2% move to a different occupation[28]. The projection counts include the self-employed, who were 1.8% of workers in 2025[2][29].
Is it a good fit?
The facts show a job with no formal education requirement and short on-the-job training[6]. Median pay is close to the all-occupations median[1][4]. Growth is slower than the all-occupations rate[2][27]. The work involves heights, tight spaces and a high rate of injuries and illnesses[30][23][24]. It may suit people who are comfortable with that physical side and want to learn on the job.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an insulation installer make an hour?
- The median was $23.62 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $26.32[1][7].
- What education do you need to be an insulation installer?
- No formal educational credential is typical for entry[6].
- Is insulation installer work in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 3,000 openings a year[2][27][5].
- What is the highest paying state for insulation installers?
- Nebraska had the highest median at $73,140, followed by Washington at $67,750[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall in the US was $49,120 per year and $23.62 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 45,100 to 46,200 jobs (a change of +1,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall: 10th percentile $37,030, 25th percentile $43,200, 75th percentile $60,980, 90th percentile $78,190. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 3,000 openings for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall was $54,740 per year and $26.32 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall: 10th percentile $17.80, 25th percentile $20.77, 75th percentile $29.32, 90th percentile $37.59. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (areas with at least 100 jobs): Columbus, OH $80,000; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $76,170; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $71,980; Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $70,410; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $63,200; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $61,730; Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $61,690; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $60,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall jobs: Texas 7,120; California 3,080; Florida 2,690; Washington 2,330; North Carolina 2,090. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall jobs: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 2,430 (median $48,140); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,100 (median $49,930); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,500 (median $61,730); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 1,330 (median $45,900); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 1,250 (median $71,980); Baton Rouge, LA 1,100 (median $48,090). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Insulation Workers" covers Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 47-2131.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 68%, Less than a High School Diploma 29% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of insulation workers in 2025: Drywall and insulation contractors 66%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall: 2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: 1.8% of Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.