Find Trade Colleges

Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator

Life As a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator

Career Description Laminate layers of fiberglass on molds to form boat decks and hulls, bodies for golf carts, automobiles, or other products.

List of Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator Job Duties

  • Cure materials by letting them set at room temperature, placing them under heat lamps, or baking them in ovens.
  • Trim cured materials by sawing them with diamond-impregnated cutoff wheels.
  • Release air bubbles and smooth seams, using rollers.
  • Spray chopped fiberglass, resins, and catalysts onto prepared molds or dies using pneumatic spray guns with chopper attachments.
  • Apply 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.
  • Trim excess materials from molds, using hand shears or trimming knives.

Qualities of a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator

Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

  • Fiberglass Ski Maker
  • Fiberglass Boat Finisher
  • Foam Tank Laminator
  • Fiberglass Finisher
  • Composite Bond Technician

Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator Employment Estimates

There were about 19,700 jobs for Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator. There will be an estimated 2,200 positions for Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator per year.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator are Utah, Alabama, and Rhode Island. Watch out if you plan on working in Virginia, Maine, or Washington. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator Salary

Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators make between $23,590 and $49,900 a year.

undefined

Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators who work in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.

How much do Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $29,370
Arizona $29,410
Arkansas $29,580
California $37,450
Colorado $38,670
Connecticut $35,740
Florida $33,650
Georgia $27,930
Idaho $34,160
Illinois $34,970
Indiana $34,700
Iowa $39,990
Kansas $36,000
Kentucky $39,800
Louisiana $31,440
Maine $35,710
Maryland $42,820
Massachusetts $46,050
Michigan $34,670
Minnesota $33,440
Mississippi $30,200
Missouri $33,500
Montana $26,550
New Jersey $43,580
New York $40,570
North Carolina $33,200
Ohio $35,620
Oklahoma $29,740
Oregon $35,000
Pennsylvania $60,490
Rhode Island $37,610
South Carolina $33,920
South Dakota $31,610
Tennessee $35,200
Texas $42,410
Utah $30,530
Washington $44,440
Wisconsin $35,110
Wyoming $34,490

What Tools do Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Data entry software
  • Word processing software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software

How to Become a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator

What education is needed to be a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator?

undefined

How many years of work experience do I need?

undefined

You May Also Be Interested In…

Those thinking about becoming a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator might also be interested in the following careers:

Career changers with experience as a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: via

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.