Boat building jobs are jobs in the yards and plants that build and repair boats, from small fiberglass runabouts and sailboats to wooden classics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups this work under ship and boat building, an industry with about 149,500 jobs in 2025. That figure also includes large shipyards that build commercial and military ships.
This guide covers the main roles in boat building, what they pay, how people train, the job outlook for the industry, and how to find boat building jobs. Figures were checked in October 2026.
Fiberglass, Composites and Wood
In the BLS data, fiberglass work far outnumbers woodwork in boat building. In 2025, the ship and boat building industry employed about 6,500 fiberglass laminators and fabricators, 40% of everyone in that occupation nationwide, compared with about 2,900 carpenters and 300 woodworkers.
Wooden boat building and restoration is a smaller, specialized field, and it is the focus of several boat building schools.
Main Roles in Boat Building
These were the largest occupations in the ship and boat building industry in 2025, according to the BLS employment matrix:
| Occupation | Jobs in ship and boat building, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | 14,400 |
| Assemblers and fabricators | 8,700 |
| Fiberglass laminators and fabricators | 6,500 |
| First-line supervisors of production workers | 6,000 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | 5,700 |
| Electricians | 5,400 |
| Structural metal fabricators and fitters | 5,100 |
| Coating, painting and spraying machine operators | 4,300 |
| Marine engineers and naval architects | 4,200 |
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
This is the core hands-on job in fiberglass boat building. The ship and boat building industry employs more fiberglass laminators than any other industry, with 6,490 in May 2025. The median annual wage for fiberglass laminators and fabricators across all industries was $46,880, or $22.54 an hour. The states with the most were Florida (2,870), Indiana (2,010), Washington (1,100), Texas (1,050) and California (850).
Carpenters and Woodworkers
Carpenters and woodworkers are a smaller group in the industry, as noted above. Carpenters earned a median of $60,580 a year across all industries in May 2025.
Upholsterers
The BLS counted 680 upholsterers in ship and boat building in May 2025.
Training for Boat Building
Many production jobs are learned on the job. For wooden boat building and restoration, dedicated schools are a common route. Examples include:
- IYRS School of Technology and Trades, Newport, Rhode Island. A 20-month Boatbuilding and Restoration certificate program. Students restore a small sailboat in the first year, learning lofting, planking, steam bending, joinery and finishing, complete an externship with marine employers, and work on larger boats in the second year. The school says it has a network of more than 500 employers who recruit its graduates.
- Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, Washington. A 12-month Associate of Occupational Studies degree in boatbuilding, covering traditional wooden boat and wood composite construction from lofting through launching. Washington’s state career site lists tuition of $25,600 plus $2,200 in fees.
The Landing School in Arundel, Maine, has offered nine-month diploma programs in wooden boatbuilding, composite boatbuilding, marine systems and yacht design, but its website announces that the school is closing. Check the current status of any school before applying.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects that employment in ship and boat building will grow by 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 149,500 to 154,100 jobs, with output growing about 1% a year. Within the industry, it projects that:
- Fiberglass laminators, carpenters, electricians and assemblers will grow by about 4%.
- Marine engineers and naval architects will grow by about 10%.
- Welders will decline slightly, and structural metal fabricators will decline by 6%.
The BLS does not publish separate projections for wooden boat building, which is a small part of the industry.
How to Find Boat Building Jobs
- Search by role. Try fiberglass laminator, boat builder, marine carpenter, boat rigger, gelcoat finisher and marine upholsterer.
- Consider location. Florida, Indiana and Washington had the most fiberglass laminators in May 2025.
- Contact boat builders and yards directly. Check their career pages or ask about openings.
- Ask schools about their employer networks. IYRS, for example, requires an externship with marine employers.
- Use public job services. CareerOneStop lists openings and the American Job Centers near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there still wooden boat building jobs?
Yes, but it is a small, specialized field. Most boat building today uses fiberglass and composites, and the BLS counted only about 300 woodworkers in the ship and boat building industry in 2025.
How much do boat builders make?
It depends on the role. Fiberglass laminators and fabricators earned a median of $46,880 a year in May 2025, and carpenters $60,580, according to the BLS.
Do I need to go to boat building school?
Not for every job. Production roles are often learned on the job. Schools are most useful for wooden boat building and restoration.
Related Guides
- Woodworking Jobs: Types, Pay and How to Get Started
- Carpenter vs. Woodworker: Which Job Fits You?
- Woodworking Apprenticeships: How to Find and Apply
Sources: BLS – National Employment Matrix, Ship and Boat Building, BLS – Employment and Output by Industry, 2025–35, BLS – OEWS Profiles, May 2025, IYRS – Boatbuilding and Restoration Program, Washington Career Bridge – Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding and The Landing School – Programs.
