What does an insulation worker do?

Updated January 8, 2025

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Insulation worker responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real insulation worker resumes:

Prepare asbestos for proper disposal and transporting to authorize sites.
Fit thermo block and magnesia-block insulation around insulating boilers, evaporators and turbines.

Insulation worker skills and personality traits

We calculated that 20% of Insulation Workers are proficient in Hand Tools, Ladders, and Tape Measure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Math skills, and Mechanical skills.

We break down the percentage of Insulation Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Hand Tools, 20%
Operate small hand tools, review and interpret drawings and specifications as they pertain to pipe and duct insulation.
Ladders, 14%
Used ladders and set up series of scaffolding in buildings when necessary along with basic hand tools.
Tape Measure, 13%
Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.
Mechanical Systems, 10%
Shaped and secured insulation and protective coverings around obstructions and various mechanical systems, as required.
Storage Tanks, 8%
Insulated pipes in Chemical plants, marine vessels, air ducts, Storage tanks, freezers, ETC.
Insulation Materials, 6%
Implemented proper destruction procedures of insulation material in accordance with governmental guidelines from marine facility.

Common skills that an insulation worker uses to do their job include "hand tools," "ladders," and "tape measure." You can find details on the most important insulation worker responsibilities below.

Dexterity. The most essential soft skill for an insulation worker to carry out their responsibilities is dexterity. This skill is important for the role because "to install insulation, insulators often must reach overhead, sometimes while confined in spaces where maneuvering is difficult." Additionally, an insulation worker resume shows how their duties depend on dexterity: "used aerial lifts, ladders, and scaffolds. "

Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling insulation worker duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "insulators need to measure the equipment or areas they are insulating and to calculate the amount and dimensions of insulation needed." According to an insulation worker resume, here's how insulation workers can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "use of hand tools, math skills"

Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of insulation workers is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday insulation worker duties, as "insulators must be adept at using a variety of handtools and power tools to install insulation." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "job duties: worker or foreman on industrial and mechanical insulation jobs from dover south. "

Physical stamina. A big part of what insulation workers do relies on "physical stamina." You can see how essential it is to insulation worker responsibilities because "insulators spend much of the workday standing, kneeling, and bending in uncomfortable positions." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical insulation worker tasks: "install sheet ruber around uninsulated ppipe in order to protect the pipe from weather conditions or physical damage. "

See the full list of insulation worker skills

The three companies that hire the most insulation workers are:

Tradesmen International1 insulation workers jobs

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Compare different insulation workers

Insulation worker vs. Industrial insulator

Insulators are insulation workers who are in charge of covering ducts, boilers, pipes, and other structures and equipment with insulating materials. The insulators ensure the retention of either cold or heat. They assist the journeymen with tasks that involve air ducts, cooling, and heating systems. It is part of their duty to remove urea-formaldehyde or asbestos insulation from buildings and other structures. They make sure that the journeymen have all the necessary things in hand for a certain project.

We looked at the average insulation worker salary and compared it with the wages of an industrial insulator. Generally speaking, industrial insulators are paid $7,130 higher than insulation workers per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between insulation workers and industrial insulators are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like ladders, tape measure, and mechanical systems.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between insulation workers and industrial insulator. For instance, insulation worker responsibilities require skills such as "hand tools," "storage tanks," "asphalt," and "canvas strips." Whereas a industrial insulator is skilled in "stainless steel," "scaffolding," "osha," and "heat exchangers." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Industrial insulators tend to reach similar levels of education than insulation workers. In fact, industrial insulators are 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Learn more about insulation workers vs insulators.

Insulation worker vs. Pipe insulator

Pipe insulator positions earn higher pay than insulation worker roles. They earn a $8,543 higher salary than insulation workers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Insulation workers and pipe insulators both require similar skills like "hand tools," "tape measure," and "mechanical systems" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, insulation worker responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "ladders," "storage tanks," "blowers," and "cold pipes." Meanwhile, a pipe insulator has duties that require skills in areas such as "hot water," "asbestos," "fiber glass," and "install insulation." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Pipe insulators tend to reach similar levels of education than insulation workers. In fact, they're 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Insulation worker vs. Insulation mechanic

On average scale, insulation mechanics bring in higher salaries than insulation workers. In fact, they earn a $3,761 higher salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on insulation workers and insulation mechanics resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "hand tools," "ladders," and "tape measure.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, insulation workers are more likely to have skills like "storage tanks," "blueprint specifications," "construction projects," and "nail guns." But a insulation mechanic is more likely to have skills like "aluminum," "heat exchangers," "dividers," and "install insulation."

Insulation mechanics typically earn similar educational levels compared to insulation workers. Specifically, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Insulation worker vs. Insulator

Insulators tend to earn a higher pay than insulation workers by an average of $8,549 per year.While their salaries may vary, insulation workers and insulators both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "ladders," "tape measure," and "mechanical systems. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "hand tools," "construction projects," "nail guns," and "state regulations" are skills that commonly show up on insulation worker resumes. On the other hand, insulators use skills like heat exchangers, install insulation, safety rules, and ventilation systems on their resumes.insulators reach similar levels of education compared to insulation workers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of insulation worker

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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