Occupation Details
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Line and cover structures with insulating materials. May work with batt, roll, or blown insulation materials.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$35,160.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$47,000.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$59,570.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
550
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
690
+14 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
71
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.3%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Earn While You Learn: Discover hands-on training opportunities that combine paid work experience with classroom instruction for this career path.
AT Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers JAC LU #26
Rochester, NY
Announcement
The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) for Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, Local Union #26, will conduct a recruitment from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026 for six Insulation and Asbestos Worker apprentices.
Requirements
The Committee requires that applicants: Must be at least 18 years old. Must verbally attest that they are physically able to perform the work required of the trade which may include: Must be able to lift 50 lbs. unassisted. Must be able to climb ladders and work from heights above 8 feet. Must be able to work in confined spaces. Must be able to work in cold and hot environments such as coolers below 40 degrees and boiler rooms above 100 degrees. Must have a valid New York State drivers license in order to operate company vehicles. Must be able to read, hear and understand verbal instructions and warnings given in English. Must have reliable means of transportation to and from various job sites and required classes at the approved school. Must be legally be able to work in the USA. Must be willing to attend a minimum of 144 hours of required classroom instruction per year located at the JATC for Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, Local Union #26 Training Center. Must provide DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, if applicable, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
How to Apply
Applications can be obtained on-line any day and any time during the recruitment period at www.insulators26.org. All applications must be received on-line by no later than 12:00 p.m. on March 31, 2026.
Additional Information
For further information, applicants should contact JATC for Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, Local Union #26 at (585) 323-1620. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center (see: https://dol.ny.gov/career-centers).
Program Dates
Contact Information
Rochester, NY 14622
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Air compressors
- Air filtering devices
- Asbestos cutters
- Batt knives
- Blower machines
- Caulking guns
- Chalk lines
- Desktop computers
- Filtered vacuum cleaners
- Hammer staplers
- Hole saws
- Hooded protective suits
- Knives
- Ladders
- Notebook computers
- Pneumatic staplers
- Power drills
- Power saws
- Protective suits
- R-value rulers
- Reciprocating saws
- Respirators
- Saws
- Scaffolding
- Scissors
- Screwdrivers
- Sheet metal cutters
- Sheet metal templates
- Staple guns
Technology
- Comput-Ability Mechanical Insulation Key Estimator
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Windows
- North American Insulation Manufacturers Association NAIMA 3E Plus
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- measure and mark reference points or cutting lines on workpieces
- use hazardous materials information
- adhere to safety procedures
- operate power construction equipment
- use hand or power tools
- use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
- select insulation materials
- read blueprints
- read tape measure
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- understand construction specifications
- apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
- climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
- cut, shape, fit, or join wood or other construction materials
- build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
- erect scaffold
- move or fit heavy objects
- install insulating materials
- load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, power saws, knives, or scissors.
- Fit, wrap, staple, or glue insulating materials to structures or surfaces, using hand tools or wires.
- Cover and line structures with blown or rolled forms of materials to insulate against cold, heat, or moisture, using saws, knives, rasps, trowels, blowers, or other tools and implements.
- Distribute insulating materials evenly into small spaces within floors, ceilings, or walls, using blowers and hose attachments, or cement mortars.
- Move controls, buttons, or levers to start blowers and regulate flow of materials through nozzles.
- Fill blower hoppers with insulating materials.
- Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement or asphalt mastic.
- Read blueprints, and select appropriate insulation, based on space characteristics and the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
- Remove old insulation, such as asbestos, following safety procedures.
- Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Insulation workers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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