Occupation · SOC 51-2051
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
Laminate layers of fiberglass on molds to form boat decks and hulls, bodies for golf carts, automobiles, or other products.
Median wage
$45,760
$35,950–$61,370
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
18,520
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringMonitoringReading ComprehensionSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingActive Listening
Knowledge areas
Administration and ManagementProduction and ProcessingEducation and TrainingChemistryEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Enterprise resource planning ERP softwareSpreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
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.Mix catalysts into resins, and saturate cloth and mats with mixtures, using brushes.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.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.Select precut fiberglass mats, cloth, and wood-bracing materials as required by projects being assembled.Bond wood reinforcing strips to decks and cabin structures of watercraft, using resin-saturated fiberglass.Trim excess materials from molds, using hand shears or trimming knives.Apply layers of plastic resin to mold surfaces prior to placement of fiberglass mats, repeating layers until products have the desired thicknesses and plastics have jelled.Inspect, clean, and assemble molds before beginning work.Cure materials by letting them set at room temperature, placing them under heat lamps, or baking them in ovens.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.Repair or modify damaged or defective glass-fiber parts, checking thicknesses, densities, and contours to ensure a close fit after repair.Check all dies, templates, and cutout patterns to be used in the manufacturing process to ensure that they conform to dimensional data, photographs, blueprints, samples, or customer specifications.Trim cured materials by sawing them with diamond-impregnated cutoff wheels.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Fiberglass mats and cloth — select and stage precut materials under direct supervision on a production floor.Resin and catalyst mixtures — prepare according to written formulas with close guidance in a lamination shop.Saturated mat layers — pat and press onto molds by hand following step-by-step instructions from a lead fabricator.Air bubbles and seam irregularities — identify and roll out using hand rollers under direct oversight during initial lamination tasks.Pneumatic spray gun with chopper attachment — operate under supervision to apply chopped fiberglass and resin to prepared molds.Hand shears and trimming knives — use to remove excess fiberglass material from molds following demonstrated procedures.Completed laminate panels — visually inspect for obvious surface defects using basic quality checklists provided by a supervisor.Work area safety protocols — follow consistently, including PPE use and chemical handling guidelines in a fiberglass fabrication environment.Production and processing terminology — read and interpret basic work orders and specification sheets with supervisor assistance.Wrinkles and surface irregularities — smooth using squeegees and hands on flat or simple curved mold surfaces under direction.
developing
Fiberglass cloth, mat, and wood-bracing materials — select independently based on project requirements in a mid-volume fabrication shop.Resin-to-catalyst ratios — mix and adjust with minimal oversight to achieve consistent cure times across routine lamination runs.Saturated cloth and mat layers — apply and compact onto complex mold geometries using brushes and hands with limited supervision.Chopped fiberglass and resin — spray uniformly onto molds using a pneumatic spray gun, adjusting pressure settings to meet thickness specifications.Completed fiberglass parts — measure with rulers or micrometers and tap-test for bubbles or dead spots, documenting results on standard inspection forms.Resin-saturated fiberglass strips — bond to wood reinforcing structures on watercraft decks and cabin surfaces following established procedures.Trim lines and finish edges — cut cleanly on curved and straight profiles using hand shears and trimming knives in a production setting.Minor lamination defects — diagnose and resolve using familiar corrective techniques without escalating every issue to a supervisor.Shift production data — record and enter into spreadsheet software to support basic inventory and output tracking in a manufacturing environment.Production pace and part quality — monitor simultaneously across an assigned workstation, flagging deviations before they affect downstream assembly.
proficient
Full lamination sequences — execute autonomously from mold prep through final trim and inspection across a range of part complexities in a production facility.Spray application parameters — calibrate chopper gun settings, resin viscosity, and catalyst percentages to meet engineering specifications on non-standard mold profiles.Dimensional and structural quality checks — perform independently using micrometers, tap-testing, and visual analysis, interpreting results against engineering drawings.Laminate thickness and fiber-to-resin ratios — optimize through hands-on adjustment, ensuring structural integrity for watercraft and composite assemblies.Complex seam and bubble defects — troubleshoot root causes and apply corrective lamination techniques without supervisory input in a high-mix production environment.Wood reinforcement bonding operations — execute with precision on watercraft structural components, verifying adhesion and alignment to design specifications.Material selection decisions — make independently for multi-layer lay-ups by interpreting project specifications, material data sheets, and customer requirements.Non-routine quality deviations — analyze patterns across multiple parts and communicate findings to engineering or management using clear technical language.ERP and production software — use proficiently to track material consumption, job status, and output metrics supporting plant-wide manufacturing operations.Chemical handling and process hazards — apply in-depth knowledge of resin chemistry to maintain safe, compliant operations throughout all lamination stages.
advanced
Lamination process standards — develop and document shop-wide procedures, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance across all fabrication crews.Apprentice and junior laminators — train and mentor in spray application, mat lay-up, and defect detection techniques, accelerating their on-the-job development.Production workflows and mold sequencing — redesign to reduce cycle time and material waste across a multi-shift fiberglass fabrication operation.Quality conformance systems — establish inspection criteria, measurement protocols, and corrective-action frameworks aligned with customer and regulatory requirements.Resin chemistry and cure optimization — lead process improvement initiatives that reduce defect rates and material costs at an organizational level.Cross-functional teams — collaborate with engineering, procurement, and sales to translate customer specifications into manufacturable lamination designs.ERP and production reporting systems — oversee data integrity and use aggregate output metrics to inform capacity planning and capital investment decisions.Workplace safety culture — champion chemical safety, PPE compliance, and ergonomic best practices across the entire lamination department.Complex technical problems — diagnose systemic lamination failures spanning equipment, materials, and operator technique, implementing sustainable corrective solutions.Organizational lamination capabilities — assess skill gaps across the workforce and design training programs that build long-term production competency and retention.
Also known as
57 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force 2T351)Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Helper, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force 2T311C)Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Craftsman (Air Force 2T371)Lamination BuilderLamination TechnicianUH-60 Helicopter Repairer (Army 15T)Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Journeyman, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force 2T351C)Gel-CoaterFiberglasserComposite Fitter MechanicMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Apprentice, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force 2T331C)Fiberglass RollerMaterial Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)Fiber Placement TechnicianMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Helper, Firefighting and Refueling Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance (Air Force 2T311A)Machinery Repairman Apprentice (Navy 003156)Chopper Gun OperatorFiberglass Boat MakerMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force 2T331)Boat CarpenterFiberglass Container Winding OperatorMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance (Air Force 2T3X1)Golf Cart AssemblerFiberglass Boat BuilderFiberglass FinisherComposite TechnicianDamage Controlman (Coast Guard DC)Ski MakerMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Journeyman, Firefighting and Refueling Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance (Air Force 2T351A)Fiberglass Luggage MolderFiberglass GrinderFiberglass Ski MakerAviation Maintenance Technician (Coast Guard AMT)Fiberglass Machine OperatorFiberglass Boat FinisherMolderMarine Safety Specialist Engineer (Coast Guard MSSE)Golf Cart MakerLaminatorAllied Trades Specialist (Army 91E)