Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall
SOC Code: 47-2131
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall carries a 29% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $48,680 and +3.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 40,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 29% AI exposure, Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall sits 8 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 27% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall has ai exposure of 29%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall (SOC 47-2131) carries an AI exposure score of 29%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 40,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.8% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $48,680, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, power saws, knives, or scissors.
- 2. Fit, wrap, staple, or glue insulating materials to structures or surfaces, using hand tools or wires.
- 3. 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.
- 4. Distribute insulating materials evenly into small spaces within floors, ceilings, or walls, using blowers and hose attachments, or cement mortars.
- 5. Move controls, buttons, or levers to start blowers and regulate flow of materials through nozzles.
- 6. Fill blower hoppers with insulating materials.
- 7. Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement or asphalt mastic.
- 8. Read blueprints, and select appropriate insulation, based on space characteristics and the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
- 9. Remove old insulation, such as asbestos, following safety procedures.
- 10. Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Operations Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Transportation
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Design
- Education and Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall?
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall has an AI exposure score of 29%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall is projected to grow by 3.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 40,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall?
Key skills for Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall include Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall earn?
The median annual wage for Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall is $48,680, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall?
The typical entry-level education for Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall?
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).