Best institutions to study 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.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 35 Insulator students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 46.0414, a specialization of Building/Construction Finishing (CIP 46.04), and leads most directly to the Insulation Workers, Mechanical occupation (BLS SOC 47-2132).
About Insulator programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Insulator program, part of the Building/Construction Finishing field, prepares individuals to apply insulation materials to various systems, including pipes, boilers, and ducts. This program is designed for those interested in reducing the passage of heat, cold, sound, or fire in construction and industrial settings. Students will gain hands-on experience and knowledge essential for a successful career in insulation.
In this program, students will learn to measure and cut insulation materials, apply and secure insulation, and install vapor barriers. Coursework also covers insulation specifications, maintenance, and safety training, providing a comprehensive understanding of the materials and techniques used in the industry.
Credentials awarded
What Insulator graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years26 graduates / yr · 1 institution74%
- Associate's degree9 graduates / yr · 1 institution26%
Graduates over time
Insulator completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 62 |
| 2022 | 61 |
| 2023 | 31 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 35 |
Top 1 institutions for Insulator, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 35 | 40% | — | $51,303 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Building/Construction Finishing field (CIP 46.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 1 states
Where Insulator graduates come from. Each state links to all Building/Construction Finishing programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 1 | 35 | Ivy Tech Community College35 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 47-2132, Insulation Workers, Mechanical, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Insulator program can pursue careers as Insulation Workers, Mechanical, with an annual growth rate of 4.7% and approximately 2,300 annual job openings. The median wage for insulation workers is $57,250, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 46.0414
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Insulation Workers, Mechanicalprimary SOC 47-2132 | $58,340 | +4.7% About as fast as average | ~2,300 | High school diploma or equivalent |
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers SOC 47-1011 | $79,920 | +5.3% Faster than average | ~74,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall SOC 47-2131 | $49,120 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~3,400 | No formal educational credential |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Insulator programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.
- Apply, remove, and repair insulation on industrial equipment, pipes, ductwork, or other mechanical systems such as heat exchangers, tanks, and vessels, to help control noise and maintain temperatures.
- Select appropriate insulation, such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
- Fit insulation around obstructions, and shape insulating materials and protective coverings as required.
- Determine the amounts and types of insulation needed, and methods of installation, based on factors such as location, surface shape, and equipment use.
- Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement, or asphalt mastic.
Tools and technology used
Other Building/Construction Finishing specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Building/Construction Finishing (CIP 46.04).
- Building/CIP 46.0401
Property Maintenance 2,461 graduates / yr97 institutions - Building Construction Technology/CIP 46.0415
Technician 2,137 graduates / yr127 institutions - Building/CIP 46.0412
Construction Site Management/ Manager 1,748 graduates / yr73 institutions - Building/CIP 46.0499
Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection 638 graduates / yr36 institutions - Building/CIP 46.0403
Home/ Construction Inspection/ Inspector 334 graduates / yr31 institutions - Drywall Installation/CIP 46.0404
Drywaller partial data254 graduates / yr3 institutions - Concrete Finishing/CIP 46.0402
Concrete Finisher partial data79 graduates / yr6 institutions - RooferCIP 46.0410partial data42 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Carpet, Floor, and Tile WorkerCIP 46.0413limited data30 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Painting/CIP 46.0408
Painter and Wall Coverer partial data29 graduates / yr4 institutions - GlazierCIP 46.0406limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Metal Building Assembly/CIP 46.0411
Assembler limited data5 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What is the duration of the Insulator program?+
The program awards credentials that require at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, mathematics, and safety training.
What types of insulation materials will I learn about?+
You will learn about various insulation materials, including fiberglass, Styrofoam, and cork.
What job opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as insulation workers, with a strong job outlook and competitive wages.
What is the CIP code for Insulator?+
Insulator is CIP 46.0414 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Building/Construction Finishing (CIP 46.04). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Insulator programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported Insulator graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 35 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Building/Construction Finishing graduates.
How much do Insulator graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Insulation Workers, Mechanical occupation, which Insulator most directly leads to, pays a median of $58,340 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Building/Construction Finishing field report median earnings of $51,303 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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