Also called: Brightwork Specialist, Marine Varnisher
Sands and brushes on layer after layer of varnish to make a yacht’s teak and mahogany trim glow like glass.
Brightwork is the shiny varnished wood on a boat. The varnisher strips old finish, sands rails and hatches by hand, then lays on 8 to 12 thin coats, sanding between each. They work dockside in calm, dry weather and race the dew in the evening.
Many freelance; skilled varnishers in yacht towns earn more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. Learned on the job at boatyards; boatbuilding school helps.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Trade school. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Boatbuilding (trade school).
Growing about average. Steady in yacht hubs like Florida, Maine and Rhode Island.
Low risk for 10 years. No machine sands and varnishes curved yacht trim as well as a patient person.
Age 16+. One way to start: Ask boatyards for a summer helper job sanding and varnishing teak
Classes: Woodshop, Art, Chemistry.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.