Insulation worker salary in North Carolina
Median $20.67 an hour for 2,090 insulation workers (floor, ceiling, wall, mechanical), May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since n/a.
Insulation worker pay in North Carolina: the full range
North Carolina ranks 44th of 48 states for median insulation worker pay, and 41st once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $21.92). 2,090 insulation workers (floor, ceiling, wall, mechanical) work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $14.96 – $17.49 | $31,110 – $36,380 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $17.49 – $23.07 | $36,380 – $47,990 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $23.07 – $28.88 | $47,990 – $60,080 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Insulation worker pay by metro in North Carolina
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro | $14.14 | $22.36 | $26.67 | 120 | 8% above |
| Raleigh | $16.84 | $22.13 | $31.30 | 480 | 7% above |
| Charlotte | $14.98 | $21.40 | $29.89 | 760 | 4% above |
| Virginia Beach | $17.07 | $21.03 | $25.87 | 160 | 2% above |
| Wilmington | $14.11 | $18.13 | $21.63 | 90 | 12% below |
| Winston-Salem | $14.00 | $18.00 | $22.31 | — | 13% below |
Is construction work growing in North Carolina?
Keep comparing
Insulation worker pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in North Carolina
Questions this page answers
How much do insulation workers make in North Carolina?
The median insulation worker in North Carolina earned $20.67 an hour ($42,990 a year) in May 2025, 12% below the national median of $23.62. The middle half earn $17.49–$23.07; the top 10% earn more than $28.88.
Where does North Carolina rank for insulation worker pay?
North Carolina ranks 44th of 48 states for insulation worker pay, with a median of $20.67 an hour, and 41st after adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (BEA price parity 94.3, US = 100).
What is the union insulation worker rate in North Carolina?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a insulation worker classification for most North Carolina counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many insulation workers work in North Carolina?
BLS counted 2,090 insulation workers (floor, ceiling, wall, mechanical) in North Carolina in May 2025, 0.4 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.48; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, North Carolina and metro areas, SOC 47-2131, 47-2132.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.