Across U.S. metros, septic & sewer technicians typically earn $2,685 more a year than insulation installers (6%). In the 75 metros where BLS publishes both, insulation installers earn more in 33 and septic & sewer technicians in 42.
| Insulation Installer | Septic & Sewer Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $48,305 | $50,990 |
| Lowest metro median | $27,040 | $36,350 |
| Highest metro median | $80,000 | $75,010 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +2.4% | +7.8% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 3,000 | 2,800 |
| Self-employed | 2% | 3% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 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 | 150 |
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 septic & sewer technicians the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where septic & sewer technicians 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 23 states and septic & sewer technicians in 25. The gap favors insulation installers most in Mississippi ($24,010) and septic & sewer technicians most in Nevada ($13,670).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Working at heights: often for insulation installers, occasionally for septic & sewer technicians. Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles: sometimes for insulation installers, occasionally for septic & sewer technicians.
| Insulation Installer | Septic & Sewer Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Often | Very often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Often | Very often |
| Working at heights | Often | Occasionally |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Sometimes | Occasionally |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Often | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Often | Very often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Often | Sometimes |
| Sitting | Rarely | Occasionally |
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.
Septic & Sewer Technician
Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.
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