72321 – Insulators
Lead statement
Insulators apply insulation materials to plumbing, air-handling, heating, cooling and refrigeration systems, piping equipment and pressure vessels, and walls, floors and ceilings of buildings and other structures, to prevent or reduce the passage of heat, cold, sound or fire. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main duties
- Read and interpret drawings and specifications to determine insulation requirements and select type of insulation required
- Measure and cut insulating material to required dimensions using hand and power tools
- Apply and secure insulation using spraying, blowing, pasting, strapping, taping and other application and installation methods
- Fit insulation around obstructions and between studs and joists
- Install vapour barriers
- Apply waterproofing cement over insulating materials to finish surfaces
- Remove asbestos or urea-formaldehyde insulation from buildings when required.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program ora combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in insulating is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification for insulators (heat and frost) is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified insulators (heat and frost) upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Example job titles
apprentice insulator · insulator apprentice · asbestos insulator · boat and ship insulator · boiler and pipe insulator · boiler insulator · building insulator · cork insulation installer · fibreglass insulation installer · firestopping insulator · fire protection insulator · foamed insulation applicator · heat and frost insulator · insulation installer · insulation applicator · insulation mechanic · insulator · journeyman/woman insulator · pipe insulator · plastic insulation applicator · refrigeration and air conditioning equipment insulator · soundproof material installer · sound insulator · residential insulation installer
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $23.00 | $37.61 | $48.65 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $25.00 | $40.36 | $51.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.00 | $36.24 | $46.27 |
| New Brunswick | $20.00 | $30.65 | $40.88 |
| Quebec | $26.33 | $43.00 | $46.92 |
| Ontario | $22.00 | $35.00 | $48.88 |
| Manitoba | $20.00 | $30.00 | $36.42 |
| Saskatchewan | $21.75 | $39.19 | $47.06 |
| Alberta | $24.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| British Columbia | $23.82 | $32.50 | $45.99 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.