Career comparison
Fiberglass Laminator vs. Industrial Painter
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Industrial painters earn more at the median ($48,250 vs. $46,880), while fiberglass laminators usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Fiberglass laminators build boats, tanks and parts by layering fiberglass and resin. Industrial painters spray paint and coat products on production lines.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Fiberglass Laminator | Industrial Painter | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $46,880 ($22.54/hr) | $48,250 ($23.20/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,910 – $63,760 | $36,260 – $74,730 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.6% (about as fast as average) | +2.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 1,700 | 15,300 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few months on the job | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | ACMA CCT | PCI powder coating training |
| Work setting | Laminators work in boat plants and composite shops.. | Painters work in spray booths and paint lines.. |
What each job does
Fiberglass Laminator
- Prepare molds
- Apply gel coat
- Lay fiberglass
- Apply resin
- Roll out air
Industrial Painter
- Prep surfaces
- Mask parts
- Mix coatings
- Spray paint
- Run powder coating
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and indoor work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose fiberglass laminator if…
- I like hands-on work
- I don’t mind mess
- I like building boats
Choose industrial painter if…
- I like finishing work
- I have a good eye
- I can wear PPE
Still torn? Take the Fiberglass Laminator fit quiz and the Industrial Painter fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, fiberglass laminator or industrial painter?
Industrial Painters earn more at the median: $48,250 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 industrial painters (A few months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects fiberglass laminators to grow +4.6% from 2025–35, compared with +2.5% for industrial painters.