FairangeInsulation · OR
Insulation costs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
Skip the generic national blog post — this page is the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro Insulation slice of OEWS May 2025. Mean hourly pay here sits about 19% above the national OEWS mean.
Among 135 OEWS areas with published Insulation wages, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro ranks #14 nationally on mean hourly pay ($31.37). Compared with other OR areas that report Insulation wages, this market is #2 of 3. Percentile spread: $17.96–$47.44. Median sits at $29.31.
Local employment for this SOC is roughly 450 workers (OEWS May 2025). Nationwide that occupation is about 44,440. How a few common projects pencil out against the national mid: Attic Insulation (blown cellulose top-up) mid estimate $1,369 here vs $1,265 U.S. (8% above).
Nearby / same-state markets worth checking: Salem ($28.67, 2.70 lower); Medford ($40.74, 9.37 higher); Albany.
Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.
Sample project ranges
| Project | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attic Insulation (blown cellulose top-up) (default size) | $710 | $1,369 | $2,761 |
Getting quotes without the circus
- Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
- Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
- Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.
What usually moves the number
- Scope surprises: duct repairs, panel upgrades, extra roof layers.
- How booked local crews are this season.
- Materials choices — we only nudge materials with a dampened regional factor. See methodology.
Rebates (verify; don’t trust a random Facebook ad)
Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project. Start with IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Insulation (47-2131) | $31.37/hr mean |
Source: official BLS OEWS data for this area · area index: oessrcma.htm.
Contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) and the regional materials factor are ours — see methodology.
Paid listing for Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Insulation. Partner.
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Gear people often ask about
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A decent thermostat won’t fix a bad install, but it can stop the short-cycling arguments.
Partner options Affiliate linkTank, tankless, heat-pump — the sticker price is only half the story.
Partner options Affiliate linkRead the exclusions. “Full coverage” rarely means what the brochure implies.
Partner options Affiliate linkMonthly wage & cost note
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