Prevailing Wage for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
Prevailing wages for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators are set by the DOL using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. Whether a sponsoring employer titles the role Fiberglass Laminator, Boat Builder, or Boat Carpenter, the same SOC 51-2051 floor applies. DOL publishes four experience levels, and the wage floor varies significantly by city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level workers new to fiberglass lamination with minimal independent experience. Workers at this level typically follow detailed instructions, apply basic hand-layup or chopper-gun techniques under close supervision, and have little or no prior fabrication background.
Level 2 applies to qualified technicians with practical lamination experience who work with moderate supervision. This is the most common filing level for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators, covering workers who handle standard mold preparation, resin application, and quality inspection tasks independently.
Level 3 is for experienced fabricators who work with significant autonomy, troubleshoot complex lamination defects, and may guide junior workers. These professionals typically have several years handling varied composite structures across boat hulls, automotive bodies, or other specialized fiberglass products.
Level 4 applies to fully competent lead fabricators or senior technicians who set production standards, train others, and exercise independent judgment on complex assemblies. Workers at this level often hold specialized expertise in advanced composite layup methods or quality-control leadership.
Prevailing Wage for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
Verify your SOC before the LCA is filed
Fiberglass fabrication roles are sometimes misclassified under general production or manufacturing SOC codes, which carry different wage floors. Confirm your offer letter references SOC 51-2051 so the LCA reflects the correct Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators prevailing wage for your worksite city.
Watch out for marine and automotive employer wage gaps
Boat-building employers in Gulf Coast metros like Corpus Christi file at significantly lower prevailing wage floors than fabricators in Phoenix or San Francisco. If you receive competing offers, compare the L2 floor in each worksite city before evaluating total compensation.
Exclude signing bonuses from your wage compliance check
DOL prevailing wage compliance for sponsored positions is calculated on the base hourly or annual wage, not total compensation. One-time signing bonuses, production bonuses, or tool allowances common in fiberglass fabrication shops do not count toward meeting the floor.
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Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-2051.00 alongside Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Boat Builder Prevailing Wage
Boat Builder Prevailing Wage
Boat Builder positions fall under SOC 51-2051.00 (Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Boat Carpenter Prevailing Wage
Boat Carpenter Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Boat Carpenter for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-2051.00 (Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Chopper Gun Operator Prevailing Wage
Chopper Gun Operator Prevailing Wage
Chopper Gun Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-2051.00 (Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Fiberglass Laminator Prevailing Wage
Fiberglass Laminator Prevailing Wage
Fiberglass Laminator positions fall under SOC 51-2051.00 (Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Fiberglass Technician Prevailing Wage
Fiberglass Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Fiberglass Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-2051.00 (Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Fiberglasser Prevailing Wage
Fiberglasser Prevailing Wage
Fiberglasser is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-2051.00 (Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Gel-Coater Prevailing Wage
Gel-Coater Prevailing Wage
Gel-Coater positions fall under SOC 51-2051.00 (Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Lamination Technician Prevailing Wage
Lamination Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Lamination Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-2051.00 (Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Laminator Prevailing Wage
Laminator Prevailing Wage
Laminator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-2051.00 (Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Roller Prevailing Wage
Roller Prevailing Wage
Roller positions fall under SOC 51-2051.00 (Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For SOC 51-2051, the agency surveys employer-reported wages across metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas and publishes four wage levels. Employers filing an LCA for a sponsored position must offer at least the published prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite location. OFLC administers the wage determination process.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL assigns Level 1 to entry-level workers with limited experience performing routine tasks under close supervision. Level 2 covers qualified workers handling standard duties with some independence. Level 3 applies to experienced workers who exercise judgment and may mentor others. Level 4 is for fully competent senior practitioners. Your employer must select the level that matches the actual job duties and required experience in the job description, not simply the job title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role differ so much from city to city?
DOL sets wages using regional OES surveys, so local labor market conditions drive the numbers. A fiberglass fabricator in San Francisco or Seattle operates in a market with higher general wage levels than one in Corpus Christi or Tulsa. Importantly, the prevailing wage is tied to the actual worksite listed on the LCA, not the employer's headquarters. An employer headquartered in a high-wage city but placing you at a production facility elsewhere must use that facility's metro wage.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
USCIS will not approve an H-1B or other employer-sponsored visa petition if the LCA shows a wage below the DOL prevailing wage for the role and worksite. The employer must certify on the LCA that the offered wage meets or exceeds the floor. If the offer falls short, the employer must increase the salary before filing. Workers already on status who discover a shortfall face potential status issues, so identifying discrepancies before the LCA is filed is important.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 51-2051 by metropolitan area. Enter the worksite location and select the appropriate experience level to see the current DOL floor for that market. Employers must use the wage in effect when the LCA is submitted, so always check close to the filing date. O*NET also provides occupational context that helps confirm whether a job description aligns with this SOC code before you request a wage determination.
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