Career comparison
Auto Body Technician vs. Fiberglass Laminator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Auto body technicians earn more at the median ($54,890 vs. $46,880), while fiberglass laminators usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Auto body technicians repair and restore vehicles after collisions, from dents and frames to paint. Fiberglass laminators build boats, tanks and parts by layering fiberglass and resin.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Auto Body Technician | Fiberglass Laminator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $54,890 ($26.39/hr) | $46,880 ($22.54/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,910 – $87,940 | $36,910 – $63,760 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.7% (about as fast as average) | +4.6% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 12,600 | 1,700 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 6 months–2 years | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | I-CAR training and Platinum recognition | ACMA CCT |
| Work setting | Technicians work in collision repair shops and dealerships with lifts, frame machines and paint booths. | Laminators work in boat plants and composite shops.. |
What each job does
Auto Body Technician
- Inspect damage and review repair estimates
- Remove and replace damaged panels and parts
- Repair dents and reshape metal
- Measure and straighten frames and unibodies
- Weld and bond steel and aluminum components
Fiberglass Laminator
- Prepare molds
- Apply gel coat
- Lay fiberglass
- Apply resin
- Roll out air
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, indoor work, and creative work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose auto body technician if…
- I like fixing things and seeing the results
- I have a good eye for shape and detail
- I don’t mind dust and noise
Choose fiberglass laminator if…
- I like hands-on work
- I don’t mind mess
- I like building boats
Still torn? Take the Auto Body Technician fit quiz and the Fiberglass Laminator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, auto body technician or fiberglass laminator?
Auto Body Technicians earn more at the median: $54,890 versus $46,880 for fiberglass laminators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Fiberglass Laminators typically train faster (A few months on the job) than auto body technicians (6 months–2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects fiberglass laminators to grow +4.6% from 2025–35, compared with +3.7% for auto body technicians.