Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
Fiberglass Laminators And Fabricators
Fiberglass Laminators And Fabricators laminate layers of fiberglass on molds to form boat decks and hulls, bodies for golf carts, automobiles, or other products.
Table of contents
What they do
Fiberglass Laminators And Fabricators laminate layers of fiberglass on molds to form boat decks and hulls, bodies for golf carts, automobiles, or other products.
- 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.
- Select precut fiberglass mats, cloth, and wood-bracing materials as required by projects being assembled.
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators apply lacquers and waxes to mold surfaces to facilitate assembly and removal of laminated parts. They trim excess materials from molds, using hand shears or trimming knives.
- Repair or modify damaged or defective glass-fiber parts, checking thicknesses, densities, and contours to ensure a close fit after repair.
- 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.
- Cure materials by letting them sit at room temperature, placing them under heat lamps, or baking them in ovens.
- Select precut fiberglass mats, cloth, and wood-bracing materials as required by projects being assembled.
- Release air bubbles and smooth seams, using rollers.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators also trim cured materials by sawing them with diamond-impregnated cutoff wheels. They may also repair or modify damaged or defective glass-fiber parts, checking thicknesses, densities, and contours to ensure a close fit after repair.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators inspect, clean, and assemble molds before beginning work. They might also cure materials by letting them sit at room temperature, placing them under heat lamps, or baking them in ovens.
In addition, they mask off mold areas not to be laminated, using cellophane, wax paper, masking tape, or special sprays containing mold-release substances.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them 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.
To some Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators, it is also their responsibility to spray chopped fiberglass, resins, and catalysts onto prepared molds or dies using pneumatic spray guns with chopper attachments.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Demand for this career is declining.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Fiberglass Laminators And Fabricators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $26,090 to $30,530 per year or $13 to $15 per hour.
Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Highest (Top 10%) | $52,010 | $25 |
Senior (Top 25%) | $44,890 | $22 |
Median | $36,950 | $18 |
Junior (Bottom 25%) | $30,530 | $15 |
No experience (Bottom 10%) | $26,090 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Fiberglass Laminators And Fabricators based on their average annual salary.
Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $53260 | $25.61 |
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $45920 | $22.08 |
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $43910 | $21.11 |
Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | $41640 | $20.02 |
Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $40970 | $19.70 |
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $39980 | $19.22 |
Other Motor Vehicle Dealers | $38840 | $18.68 |
Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | $38700 | $18.61 |
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $38040 | $18.29 |
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $37790 | $18.17 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Fiberglass Laminators And Fabricators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Fiberglass Laminators And Fabricators including the average salary in that industry.
Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
---|---|---|---|
Ship and Boat Building | 7560 | $37620 | $18.08 |
Plastics Product Manufacturing | 3470 | $35090 | $16.87 |
Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 1760 | $38700 | $18.61 |
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 1250 | $53260 | $25.61 |
Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 650 | $34730 | $16.70 |
Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 610 | $ | $* |
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 600 | $39980 | $19.22 |
Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | 540 | $41640 | $20.02 |
Machinery Manufacturing | 280 | $31960 | $15.37 |
Employment Services | 170 | $32430 | $15.59 |
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
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Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
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On The Job Training
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Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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