by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Insulator involves the study of Insulator. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Insulation Materials To Pipes, Boilers, Ducts, Refrigeration Systems, And Related Equipment To Reduce The Passage Of Heat, Cold, Sound, Or Fire. Includes Instruction In Insulation Specifications, Measuring And Cutting Insulating Material, Applying And Securing Insulation, Installing Vapor Barriers, Insulation System Maintenance, Asbestos Removal And Abatement, And Safety Training. Examples: [Heat And Frost Insulator], [Asbestos Worker/insulator], [Thermal Insulation Installer], [Boiler And Pipe Insulator], [Firestopping Insulator], [Sound Insulator]. Continue reading for the essential details every insulator student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering insulator programs.
In the U.S., insulator is a widely-pursued major, with 32 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Insulator Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for insulator students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of insulator programs later in this article.
Programs in Insulator develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations insulator graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a insulator program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a insulator major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several insulator degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 8 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 17 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7 |
People currently working in careers related to insulator tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 54.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 19.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.8% |
| Some college courses | 3.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in insulator careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in insulator prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to insulator.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to insulator.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | 682,643 | -3.5% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 646,091 | 3.6% |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | 639,001 | -1.9% |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | 484,877 | 9.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of insulator graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,822 |
| 4 years | $32,489 |
| 5 years | $37,102 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for insulator graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers insulator grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $83,555 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $70,937 |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | $57,985 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $48,347 |
With 3 different insulator programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased insulator school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in insulator, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
