Glaziers: Job Description
Install glass in windows, skylights, store fronts, and display cases, or on surfaces, such as building fronts, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.
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What Tasks Do Glaziers Do?
Typical responsibilities of glaziers span:
- Read and interpret blueprints or specifications to determine size, shape, color, type, or thickness of glass, location of framing, installation procedures, or staging or scaffolding materials required.
- Determine plumb of walls or ceilings, using plumb lines and levels.
- Install pre-assembled metal or wood frameworks for windows or doors to be fitted with glass panels, using hand tools.
- Fabricate or install metal sashes or moldings for glass installation, using aluminum or steel framing.
- Operate cranes or hoists with suction cups to lift large, heavy pieces of glass.
- Set glass doors into frames and bolt metal hinges, handles, locks, or other hardware to attach doors to frames and walls.
- Cut, fit, install, repair, or replace glass or glass substitutes, such as plastic or aluminum, in building interiors or exteriors or in furniture or other products.
- Drive trucks to installation sites and unload mirrors, glass equipment, or tools.
What Glaziers Need to Know
Successful glaziers draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Other Glaziers Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Architectural Glazier
- Art Glass Setter
- Auto Glass Tech (Automobile Glass Technician)
- Commercial Glazier
- Field Glazier
- Glass Fitter
- Glass Glazier
- Glass Inserter
How Many Glaziers Are There?
There are roughly 288,402 glaziers working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to decline by -1.1% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Glaziers
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $58,952 |
| Hourly median | $28.34 |
| 10th percentile | $40,347 |
| 25th percentile | $49,650 |
| 75th percentile | $68,255 |
| 90th percentile | $77,558 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $101,570 |
| Hawaii | $84,260 |
| Rhode Island | $83,120 |
| District of Columbia | $76,320 |
| Washington | $68,900 |
| New Jersey | $67,690 |
| Minnesota | $67,160 |
| California | $65,850 |
| Oregon | $63,240 |
| Connecticut | $62,540 |
| Iowa | $62,270 |
| Colorado | $61,340 |
| Ohio | $61,020 |
| Wisconsin | $60,940 |
| North Dakota | $60,780 |
| New York | $60,000 |
| Illinois | $59,990 |
| Alaska | $58,630 |
| Maryland | $58,520 |
| Virginia | $58,240 |
| Michigan | $58,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,880 |
| Indiana | $57,710 |
| Nebraska | $57,210 |
| Nevada | $56,750 |
| New Hampshire | $54,800 |
| Maine | $51,360 |
| Wyoming | $50,980 |
| Kansas | $50,890 |
| Utah | $50,640 |
| Arizona | $50,430 |
| South Dakota | $50,220 |
| Kentucky | $49,580 |
| West Virginia | $49,260 |
| Idaho | $49,150 |
| Missouri | $48,570 |
| Montana | $48,460 |
| South Carolina | $47,820 |
| Florida | $47,700 |
| Georgia | $47,650 |
| Alabama | $47,220 |
| Texas | $46,340 |
| New Mexico | $45,950 |
| Tennessee | $45,610 |
| Oklahoma | $44,730 |
| Louisiana | $44,520 |
| North Carolina | $43,950 |
| Mississippi | $42,990 |
| Arkansas | $39,130 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,680 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for glaziers differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $87,808 | 4.2% | 1.01 |
| Far Western US | $66,225 | 20.9% | 1.20 |
| Middle Atlantic | $60,673 | 12.4% | 0.86 |
| Great Lakes | $59,478 | 12.7% | 0.89 |
| Rocky Mountains | $57,160 | 5.5% | 1.51 |
| Plains States | $55,228 | 5.5% | 0.87 |
| Southwest | $47,149 | 17.2% | 1.34 |
| Southeast | $47,112 | 21.5% | 1.18 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | WA | $105,400 | 80 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $105,080 | 1,170 |
| Vineland, NJ | NJ | $97,400 | 100 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | HI | $92,110 | 260 |
| Salem, OR | OR | $86,940 | 150 |
| Springfield, MA | MA | $86,800 | 110 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | RI | $81,000 | 180 |
| Madison, WI | WI | $79,080 | 100 |
Top Industries Employing Glaziers
The largest employers of glaziers work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 44,560 | $57,200 |
| Retail Trade | 8,000 | $51,040 |
| Manufacturing | 1,790 | $43,220 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1,280 | $46,890 |
| Wholesale Trade | 830 | $62,590 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 290 | $44,890 |
| Educational Services | 140 | $66,870 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for glaziers is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How to Become Glaziers
Entry-level glaziers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons (Primary-Short)
- Carpenters (Primary-Short)
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (Primary-Short)
- Tile and Stone Setters (Primary-Long)
- Terrazzo Workers and Finishers (Supplemental)
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (Primary-Short)
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (Primary-Long)
- Insulation Workers, Mechanical (Supplemental)
Degree Programs
Students preparing for glaziers often complete programs in:
Construction Trades
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 47-2121.00 (Glaziers).
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