National
| Median wages (2008) |
$15.34 hourly, $31,900 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
32,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
10,000 additional employees |
47-2131.00 - Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Line and cover structures with insulating materials. May work with batt, roll, or blown insulation materials.
Sample of reported job titles:
Insulation Installer, Installer, Insulator, Insulation Estimator, Retrofit Installer, Insulation Mechanic, Warehouse Insulation Worker
Tasks
- Read blueprints and select appropriate insulation, based on space characteristics and the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
- Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, power saws, knives, or scissors.
- Cover and line structures with blown or rolled forms of materials to insulate against cold, heat, or moisture, using saws, knives, rasps, trowels, blowers, and other tools and implements.
- Fit, wrap, staple, or glue insulating materials to structures or surfaces, using hand tools or wires.
- Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement or asphalt mastic.
- Distribute insulating materials evenly into small spaces within floors, ceilings, or walls, using blowers and hose attachments, or cement mortars.
- Fill blower hoppers with insulating materials.
- Move controls, buttons, or levers to start blowers and regulate flow of materials through nozzles.
- Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.
- Remove old insulation such as asbestos, following safety procedures.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Filtering machinery — Air filtering devices; Filtered vacuum cleaners |
| Hazardous material protective apparel — Hooded protective suits; Protective suits |
| Metal cutters — Sheet metal cutters |
| Power saws — Reciprocating saws |
| Saws |
| Shears — Asbestos cutters; Scissors |
| Staple guns — Hammer staplers; Pneumatic staplers; Stapling guns |
| Utility knives — Batt knives; Knives |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — North American Insulation Manufacturers Association NAIMA 3E Plus |
| Project management software — CMSN FieldPAK; Comput-Ability MIKE 2000; Turtle Creek Software BidMagic Insulation Estimating |
