Life As a Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher
Occupation Description Shape molten glass according to patterns.
What do Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers do On a Daily Basis?
- Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.
- Spray or swab molds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass.
- Design and create glass objects, using blowpipes and artisans’ hand tools and equipment.
- Develop sketches of glass products into blueprint specifications, applying knowledge of glass technology and glass blowing.
- Operate electric kilns that heat and mold glass sheets to the shape and curve of metal jigs.
- Place glass into dies or molds of presses and control presses to form products, such as glassware components or optical blanks.
Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers say are important on the job.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Ware Finisher
- Glassblower
- Artificial Glass Eye Maker
- Laboratory Apparatus Glass Blower
- Press Operator
Job Outlook for Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
There were about 43,000 jobs for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in 2016 (in the United States).
Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher jobs are decreasing by a rate of -2.3%. This means the total job opportunities are shrinking. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a loss of -1,000 jobs for Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,200 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic are Florida, Texas, and Utah.
Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Virginia, or North Carolina. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher Salary
The salary for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic ranges between about $22,910 and $51,010 a year. The median salary for this occupation is $33,340.
How much do Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Nebraska |
$55,090 |
|
Vermont |
$46,110 |
|
New Jersey |
$45,180 |
|
Rhode Island |
$42,220 |
|
South Carolina |
$40,650 |
|
West Virginia |
$40,370 |
|
Washington |
$40,030 |
|
Hawaii |
$39,800 |
|
Illinois |
$39,230 |
|
Kansas |
$37,780 |
|
Idaho |
$37,530 |
|
Minnesota |
$37,510 |
|
New Mexico |
$37,500 |
|
Colorado |
$37,090 |
|
New York |
$37,080 |
|
Iowa |
$36,770 |
|
Montana |
$36,710 |
|
Maryland |
$36,490 |
|
Connecticut |
$36,480 |
|
Utah |
$36,120 |
|
California |
$36,050 |
|
Oregon |
$35,980 |
|
North Dakota |
$35,520 |
|
Massachusetts |
$35,310 |
|
Indiana |
$35,150 |
|
Virginia |
$35,050 |
|
New Hampshire |
$35,040 |
|
North Carolina |
$34,850 |
|
Delaware |
$34,770 |
|
Ohio |
$34,710 |
|
Maine |
$34,520 |
|
Kentucky |
$34,470 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$34,240 |
|
Wisconsin |
$34,000 |
|
Oklahoma |
$33,880 |
|
Missouri |
$33,680 |
|
Texas |
$33,520 |
|
Mississippi |
$33,130 |
|
Alabama |
$32,960 |
|
Nevada |
$32,840 |
|
Michigan |
$32,780 |
|
Arizona |
$32,620 |
|
Tennessee |
$32,370 |
|
Georgia |
$31,480 |
|
Arkansas |
$31,330 |
|
Louisiana |
$29,950 |
|
Florida |
$29,470 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Excel
How do I Become a Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher?
Individuals working as Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers?
Similar Careers
Are you already one of the many Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- Potters, Manufacturing
- Patternmakers, Wood
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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