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.
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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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- 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.
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.
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?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators employed by various industries.
Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator may also be interested in:
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Helpers–Roofers
Those who work as a Fiberglass Laminator or Fabricator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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