Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
Laminate layers of fiberglass on molds to form boat decks and hulls, bodies for golf carts, automobiles, or other products.
Also called: Boat Assembler, Boat Builder, Boat Carpenter, Chopper Gun Operator, Composite Bond Technician, Composite Fitter Mechanic
Median pay
$46,880
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,910 – $63,760
People employed
16,170
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 2.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 3.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 4.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 5.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 6.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (36 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators salary in every state →
What fiberglass laminators and fabricators do
- 01Release air bubbles and smooth seams, using rollers.
- 02Spray chopped fiberglass, resins, and catalysts onto prepared molds or dies using pneumatic spray guns with chopper attachments.
- 03Apply layers of plastic resin to mold surfaces prior to placement of fiberglass mats, repeating layers until products have the desired thicknesses and plastics have jelled.
- 04Mix catalysts into resins, and saturate cloth and mats with mixtures, using brushes.
- 05Check completed products for conformance to specifications and for defects by measuring with rulers or micrometers, by checking them visually, or by tapping them to detect bubbles or dead spots.
- 06Pat or press layers of saturated mat or cloth into place on molds, using brushes or hands, and smooth out wrinkles and air bubbles with hands or squeegees.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Administration and Management
- Production and Processing
- Education and Training
- Chemistry
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from fiberglass laminators and fabricators
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers92% · +3%
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic91% · −2%
- Tire Builders89% · +22%
- Furniture Finishers86% · −5%
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic85% · −6%
Change into fiberglass laminators and fabricators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers92% · $48,110
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic85% · $46,170
- Tire Builders84% · $57,390
- Furniture Finishers83% · $44,540
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall79% · $49,120