Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Production · SOC 51-2051 · O*NET 51-2051.00
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators earn a median salary of $46,880 per year, ranking in the top 75% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.6% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do fiberglass laminators and fabricators earn?
The median annual wage for fiberglass laminators and fabricators is $46,880. That puts fiberglass laminators and fabricators at #622 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
Is fiberglass laminators and fabricators a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for fiberglass laminators and fabricators is +4.6%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 16K positions in 2024 to 17K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What education does my child need to become fiberglass laminators and fabricator?
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$46,680 median
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,570 median
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,550 median
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders$46,460 median
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers$46,350 median
- Upholsterers$46,340 median
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about fiberglass laminators and fabricators
What is the median salary for fiberglass laminators and fabricators?
The median annual salary for fiberglass laminators and fabricators is $46,880 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is fiberglass laminators and fabricators a growing career?
BLS projects +4.6% growth for fiberglass laminators and fabricators from 2025 through 2035, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become fiberglass laminators and fabricator?
The typical entry path requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to fiberglass laminators and fabricators?
Related occupations within the Production category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 release.