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Boat builder: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$46,880median pay per year, or $22.54 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $36,910lowest 10% earn less
  2. $39,43025th percentile
  3. $46,880median
  4. $54,49075th percentile
  5. $63,760top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A boat builder who works with fiberglass, which BLS calls a fiberglass laminator or fabricator, earned a median of $46,880 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 4.6% from 2025 to 2035, a little faster than the rate for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+4.6%[2]
Openings per year
1,700[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do boat builders make?

The median fiberglass laminator and fabricator earned $46,880 a year, or $22.54 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The mean, or average, was $49,550 a year and $23.82 an hour[8]. The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980, so this job sits a bit below the national middle[5].

The pay range looks like this[4][9]:

Point in the range Annual Hourly
10th percentile[4][9] $36,910 $17.75
25th percentile[4][9] $39,430 $18.96
Median[1] $46,880 $22.54
75th percentile[4][9] $54,490 $26.20
90th percentile[4][9] $63,760 $30.65

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $36,910[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].

These numbers cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses outside production or the cost of benefits[11]. Only 0.6% of workers in this job were self-employed in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Washington had the top median annual wage at $58,410[13]. Massachusetts ($55,980), Pennsylvania ($54,800), New Jersey ($54,080) and Idaho ($53,040) came next[13]. Georgia had the lowest median among the 36 states with published data, at $35,670[13].

Florida had the most jobs, at 2,870[14]. Indiana (2,010), Washington (1,100), Texas (1,050) and California (850) followed[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New York-Newark-Jersey City had the highest median at $60,130[15]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue came next at $59,110[15]. The Elkhart-Goshen, IN area had the most jobs, at 1,050, with a median of $47,960[16].

Show median pay in 36 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[13]$58,4101,100
Massachusetts$55,980200
Pennsylvania$54,800270
New Jersey$54,080680
Idaho$53,040n/a
Tennessee$52,120590
Maine$50,710320
Iowa$50,45040
Oregon$49,850160
Rhode Island$49,260170
Ohio$49,130490
South Dakota$48,41070
California$47,750850
Nevada$47,700120
Nebraska$47,42090
New York$47,300120
Florida$47,1402,870
Missouri$46,640240
Indiana$45,8202,010
South Carolina$45,250480
Utah$44,51050
Texas$44,4501,050
Wisconsin$44,060250
Michigan$43,980520
North Carolina$43,890850
Colorado$42,84080
Mississippi$42,080180
Kansas$40,460210
Louisiana$40,000220
West Virginia$39,45080
Arkansas$39,320360
Oklahoma$39,260120
Virginia$39,140160
Alabama$38,360170
Minnesota$37,410n/a
Georgia$35,670130

How to become a boat builder

BLS lists the typical path into this job[7]:

In an O*NET survey of 22 workers, 46% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required, 43% said less than a high school diploma, and 11% said some college courses[17]. That is a small survey, so treat it as a rough picture.

The training details in this section come from a BLS profile called Assemblers and Fabricators, which covers a wider group than this one job[18]. That profile says workers typically get several months of on-the-job training, sometimes with technical instruction from the employer[19]. It also says some skilled workers may need special training or an associate's degree, and that apprenticeship programs exist[20]. Experienced workers may move up to supervisor or manager roles[21].

O*NET places the job in Job Zone 1-2, which means very little to some preparation is needed[22].

What fiberglass laminators and fabricators do

O*NET describes the work as laying fiberglass in layers on molds to form boat decks and hulls, and bodies for golf carts, cars and other products[23]. Typical tasks include[24]:

Workers report job titles such as boat builder, fiberglasser, gel-coater and chopper gun operator[25].

Where they work

The BLS profile for the wider assemblers and fabricators group says many of these workers are in manufacturing plants, and conditions differ by plant and industry[26]. Assembly work can still mean long periods of standing or sitting, or working on ladders[26]. Transportation equipment manufacturing employed 25% of that wider group in 2025[27]. The profile also says most work full time and some work shifts that can include evenings, weekends and nights[28].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 4.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 16,300 to 17,000 jobs, a gain of 800[2]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[3]. These projection counts include the self-employed. The OEWS count of about 16,170 jobs covers wage and salary jobs only[29].

BLS expects about 1,700 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings count new jobs and also spots left by people who retire or switch to another occupation. Each year, 3.8% of workers leave the labor force and 6% move to a different occupation[30].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job that asks for a high school diploma or equivalent, with training on the job[7]. Median pay was a little under the all-occupations median, and the 90th percentile reached $63,760[1][5][4]. Pay differed by state, from $35,670 in Georgia to $58,410 in Washington[13]. Growth is projected slightly above the all-occupations rate[2][3]. Almost no workers were self-employed, so most of the work is wage and salary employment[12].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[31].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a boat builder make an hour?
The median hourly wage for fiberglass laminators and fabricators was $22.54 in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $17.75 and the 90th was $30.65[9].
What education do you need to be a boat builder?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent, no related work experience, and moderate-term on-the-job training[7].
Is boat building in demand?
BLS projects 4.6% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, and about 1,700 openings a year[2][3][6].
What is the highest paying state for boat builders?
Washington had the top median annual wage at $58,410[13]. Massachusetts followed at $55,980[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators in the US was $46,880 per year and $22.54 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators is projected to grow 4.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 16,300 to 17,000 jobs (a change of +800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators: 10th percentile $36,910, 25th percentile $39,430, 75th percentile $54,490, 90th percentile $63,760. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,700 openings for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators was $49,550 per year and $23.82 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators: 10th percentile $17.75, 25th percentile $18.96, 75th percentile $26.20, 90th percentile $30.65. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 0.6% of Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators jobs: Florida 2,870; Indiana 2,010; Washington 1,100; Texas 1,050; California 850. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $60,130; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $59,110; Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $56,440; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $55,990; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $54,080; Portland-South Portland, ME $50,710; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $49,820; Jacksonville, FL $49,720. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators jobs: Elkhart-Goshen, IN 1,050 (median $47,960); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 770 (median $59,110); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 560 (median $54,080); Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 450 (median $40,750); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 430 (median $46,200); Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 420 (median $46,910). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. O*NET 51-2051.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 46%, Less than a High School Diploma 43%, Some College Courses 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Assemblers and Fabricators" covers Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 51-2051.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET description of Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 51-2051.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Boat Builder, Boat Carpenter, Chopper Gun Operator, Fiberglass Laminator, Fiberglass Technician, Fiberglasser, Gel-Coater, Lamination Technician. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of assemblers and fabricators in 2025: Transportation equipment manufacturing 25%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 16,170 people were employed as Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  30. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators: 3.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  31. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.