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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.
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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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- 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.
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.
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?
How many years of work experience do I need?
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator might also be interested in the following careers:
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Helpers–Roofers
Career changers with experience as a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.