Production Assembler
Put together products and components on factory lines, following precise instructions.
- $44,650
- 1 day to 1 month on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Fiberglass Laminator
Also called: Composite Technician · Fiberglass Fabricator · Chopper Gun Operator · Boat Laminator
What fiberglass laminators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a fiberglass laminator do?
Fiberglass laminators and fabricators laminate layers of fiberglass on molds to form boat decks and hulls, bodies for golf carts and other products. The median pay is $46,880 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +4.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$46,880$22.54/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.6%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year1,700Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs16,300Employment, 2025
What fiberglass laminators do
Fiberglass laminators make composite parts. They prepare molds, apply gel coat, lay fiberglass cloth or spray chopped glass, wet it out with resin, roll out air bubbles, trim and finish parts like boat hulls, tanks and truck parts.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Prepare molds
- Apply gel coat
- Lay fiberglass
- Apply resin
- Roll out air
- Trim parts
- Repair defects
Work environment and schedule
Laminators work in boat plants and composite shops.
Schedule: Full time, often early shifts.
A day in the life
- Wax the mold.
- Spray gel coat.
- Lay glass mat.
- Wet out with resin.
See a full day in the life of a fiberglass laminator →
Fiberglass Laminator salary
Half of fiberglass laminators earned more than $46,880 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,910 for the lowest 10% to $63,760 for the top 10%.
Full fiberglass laminator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a fiberglass laminator
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn laminating
- Earn CCT
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a fiberglass laminator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Mold prep
- Gel coat spraying
- Laminating
- Resin mixing
- Trimming
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Speed
- Teamwork
- Safety awareness
All fiberglass laminator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Build boats
- Average growth
- Hands-on craft
Cons
- Fumes and dust
- Itchy fiberglass
- Heat in shops
- Messy work
Certifications and licenses
- ACMA CCT: Certified Composites Technician.
- Respirator training: Required.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Spray equipment training: Employer.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Laminator: Build.
- Lead Laminator: Lead.
- Production Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Fiberglass Laminator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as lay up a fiberglass laminate and mix resin and catalyst correctly, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Fiberglass Laminator vs. Production Assembler · Fiberglass Laminator vs. Auto Body Tech · Fiberglass Laminator vs. Industrial Painter · Fiberglass Laminator vs. Molder and Caster
Fiberglass Laminator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
Is it safe?
With PPE and ventilation, yes.
How much does a fiberglass laminator make?
The median annual wage for fiberglass laminators was $46,880 ($22.54 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,910 and the highest 10% earned more than $63,760.
How long does it take to become a fiberglass laminator?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a fiberglass laminator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More fiberglass laminator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-2051 (Fiberglass laminators and fabricators).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Fiberglass laminators and fabricators (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.