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Educational Requirements | Outlook | Salary
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Job Description: An apprenticeship is a formal method of training in a skilled occupation or trade. For general information about apprenticeships, training, and partnerships with business, visit the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services (OATELS) website. OATELS is the Federal program that administers the National Registered Apprenticeship System (NRAS). It is a consolidation of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training and the new responsibilities of the employer and labor liaison dedicated to building a workforce for the 21st century.
Apprentice insulation workers are paid trainees who are learning the skills of insulation work. These workers learn to cover pipes, ducts, and other parts of heating and cooling systems with insulation materials. They work under the supervision of skilled, experienced workers. They learn how to use hand tools and a variety of cements and pastes to stick materials to surfaces being insulated.
Duties: Insulation workers cement, staple, wire, tape, and/or spray insulation to reduce energy consumption. They may perform some or all of the following duties:
- Measure and cut sections of insulation
- Spray foam insulation onto wire mesh surface
- Use pastes and cements to stick materials to the areas being insulated
- Operate loose-fill insulation blowing machine
- Remove old insulation and asbestos adhering to regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency
Working Conditions: Insulation workers generally work indoors. They spend most of the workday on their feet. The work is not strenuous but it does require coordination. Insulation work may be dusty and dirty. The small particles from the insulation materials may irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs. If the removal of asbestos is required, the work is considered hazardous due to the cancer-causing particles. Workers must follow strict safety guidelines, take decontamination showers, keep work areas ventilated, and wear protective suits, masks, and respirators.
Educational Requirements: Applicants seeking apprenticeship positions must have a high school diploma or the equivalent (G.E.D.). To become an apprentice, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30, and must become a member of the sponsoring union. Trainees are assigned to experienced insulation workers for instruction and supervision. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Trade and Industrial Education Standards, Competency Profiles, and Resource Links online. For additional information on education and training in this field, visit the National Insulation Association online.
Outlook: The estimated number of insulation workers in Tennessee is 920. It is projected there will be an increase of 22 percent in this occupation through the year 2012 with 50 job openings annually. Job opportunities are expected to be good due to the demand for new construction and the regulations governing the removal of asbestos from existing structures. For additional information on this occupation, visit the nationally recognized Occupational Outlook Handbook online.
| 10% | 25% | Median- 50% | 75% | 90% | |
| TN Annual | $18,450 | $23,600 | $29,130 | $34,410 | $44,760 |
| US Annual | $19,240 | $23,420 | $30,510 | $41,600 | $57,730 |
*Some salaries are listed at an hourly rate. Those that include a single dollar amount are considered hourly wage.
Wage and salary data provided by:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
- TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
- Bureau of Economic Analysis website
For an explanation of salary data please visit acinet.org
Last updated on: January 23, 2008