Insulation Workers, Mechanical
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 110 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 11% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Read blueprints and specifications to determine job requirements.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
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.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Select appropriate insulation, such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Fit insulation around obstructions, and shape insulating materials and protective coverings as required.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Determine the amounts and types of insulation needed, and methods of installation, based on factors such as location, surface shape, and equipment use.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Very similar workslightly less pay153 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$60,702 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Trunk Strength
- Extent Flexibility
- Mechanical
- Manual Dexterity
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
Very similar work+4% pay95 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 4% more—$63,024 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Very similar work+4% pay277 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 4% more—$62,936 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Trunk Strength
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Extent Flexibility
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Very similar work+57% pay240 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 57% more—$95,116 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Trunk Strength
- Extent Flexibility
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
- Static Strength
- Dynamic Strength
- Control Precision
- Visualization
Tile and Stone Setters
Very similar work+4% pay267 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 4% more—$62,915 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Trunk Strength
- Mathematics
- Extent Flexibility
- Design
New skills to build
- Visualization
Roofers
Similar work+12% pay424 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 12% more—$67,802 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Mechanical
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Coordination
Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Similar work+103% pay80 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 103% more—$123,437 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
- Trunk Strength
- Design
- Extent Flexibility
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Sheet Metal Workers
Similar work+25% pay471 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 25% more—$75,758 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Design
- Administration and Management
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Visualization
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Similar work+31% pay3,557 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 31% more—$79,594 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Education and Training
- Design
New skills to build
- Installation
- Engineering and Technology
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Physics
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Similar work+43% pay245 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 43% more—$86,702 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Trunk Strength
- Public Safety and Security
New skills to build
- Dynamic Strength
- Visualization
- Static Strength
Pipelayers
Somewhat similar work+19% pay26 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 19% more—$72,282 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Trunk Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Public Safety and Security
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Installation
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay112 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$56,333 vs your $60,716 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Production and Processing
Your current skills largely cover this move.