72321
Canada Limited

Insulators

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. They are employed by construction companies and insulation contractors, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Employment Outlooks

Economic Region Outlooks

Select your region(s)

Choose up to 3 regions to see employment outlooks. This occupation has data for 72 economic regions.

Salary Information

National wage data for this occupation
Entry-level
CA$23.00
/hr
Typical
CA$37.61
/hr
Experienced
CA$48.65
/hr

Average: CA$36.29/hr

89.0% of workers in this occupation receive non-wage benefits

Source: Job Bank Canada. Wages may vary by region and experience.

Examples

Illustrative Examples
  • boiler and pipe insulator
  • building insulator
  • firestopping insulator
  • heat and frost insulator
  • insulation applicator
  • insulation mechanic
  • insulator
  • insulator apprentice
  • sound insulator
All Examples
  • apprentice insulator
  • asbestos insulator
  • boat and ship insulator
  • boiler and pipe insulator
  • boiler insulator
  • building insulator
  • cork insulation installer
  • fibreglass insulation installer
  • fire protection insulator
  • firestopping insulator
  • foamed insulation applicator
  • heat and frost insulator
  • insulation applicator
  • insulation installer
  • insulation mechanic
  • insulator
  • insulator apprentice
  • journeyman/woman insulator
  • pipe insulator
  • plastic insulation applicator
  • refrigeration and air conditioning equipment insulator
  • residential insulation installer
  • sound insulator
  • soundproof material installer

Main Duties

Main Duties
  • This group performs some or all of the following 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.

Requirements

Employment Requirements
  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or A 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.

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Data from Statistics Canada (NOC 2021), ESDC Labour Market Information, and Job Bank Canada