Across U.S. metros, roofers typically earn $1,835 more a year than insulation installers (4%). In the 95 metros where BLS publishes both, insulation installers earn more in 38 and roofers in 57.
| Insulation Installer | Roofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $48,305 | $50,140 |
| Lowest metro median | $27,040 | $24,100 |
| Highest metro median | $80,000 | $105,270 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +2.4% | +5.3% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 3,000 | 12,000 |
| Self-employed | 2% | 20% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Typical training | Short-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 312 | 162 |
| Metros with pay data | 106 | 265 |
On safety, insulation installers report more injuries that cause missed work (312 vs. 162 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where insulation installers out-earn roofers the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where roofers out-earn insulation installers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, insulation installers earn more in 17 states and roofers in 31. The gap favors insulation installers most in Nebraska ($26,680) and roofers most in Illinois ($24,900).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Working at heights: often for insulation installers, very often for roofers. Outdoors, in all kinds of weather: often for insulation installers, very often for roofers.
| Insulation Installer | Roofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Often | Very often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Occasionally | Rarely |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Often | Very often |
| Working at heights | Often | Very often |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Sometimes | Often |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Often | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Often |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Often | Often |
| Sitting | Rarely | Rarely |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Insulation Installer
Line and cover structures with insulating materials. May work with batt, roll, or blown insulation materials.
Roofer
Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.
Compare one trade across two cities →