Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator

Find Schools Near

Life As a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator

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

Daily Life Of a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator

  • Apply lacquers and waxes to mold surfaces to facilitate assembly and removal of laminated parts.
  • Mask off mold areas not to be laminated, using cellophane, wax paper, masking tape, or special sprays containing mold-release substances.
  • Release air bubbles and smooth seams, using rollers.
  • Pat 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.
  • Bond wood reinforcing strips to decks and cabin structures of watercraft, using resin-saturated fiberglass.
  • Check 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.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator?

When polled, Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

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.

  • Composite Mechanic
  • Boat Assembler
  • Laborer
  • Foam Tank Laminator
  • Boat Carpenter

What Kind of Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator Job Opportunities Are There?

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. The BLS estimates 2,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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 Average Salary

The average yearly salary of a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator ranges between $23,590 and $49,900.

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 each U.S. state?

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

Tools & Technologies Used by Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators may use on a daily basis:

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

How do I Become a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator?

What kind of Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator requirements are there?

undefined

How many years of work experience do I need?

undefined

Where do Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators Work?

undefined

The table below shows the approximate number of Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators employed by various industries.

undefined

Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator may also be interested in:

Those who work as a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: via

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

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