Auto Glass Technician
Replace and repair windshields and vehicle glass, including camera calibration.
- $47,630
- A few months on the job
Skilled Trades & Construction career
Glazier
Also called: Glass Installer · Curtain Wall Installer · Storefront Glazier · Commercial Glazier
What glaziers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a glazier do?
Glaziers install glass in windows, skylights, storefronts and display cases, or on surfaces such as building fronts, interior walls and tabletops. The median pay is $57,080 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–4 year apprenticeship, and employment is projected to grow +1.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$57,080$27.44/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+1.9%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year3,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train3–4 year apprenticeshipTypical program length
- U.S. jobs59,200Employment, 2025
What glaziers do
Glaziers put glass on buildings. They install storefronts, curtain walls, windows, skylights, shower doors and mirrors, measure and cut glass, set frames, seal joints and work at heights on commercial towers.
A high school diploma and an apprenticeship are typical. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Read plans
- Measure openings
- Cut glass
- Install frames
- Set glass
- Seal joints
- Install curtain walls
Work environment and schedule
Glaziers work on commercial sites, homes and shops, often at heights.
Schedule: Full time.
A day in the life
- Safety briefing.
- Set storefront frames.
- Install glass panels.
- Run sealant.
See a full day in the life of a glazier →
Glazier salary
Half of glaziers earned more than $57,080 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,300 for the lowest 10% to $89,790 for the top 10%.
Full glazier pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a glazier
- Finish high school
- Join an apprenticeship
- Learn installation
- Become a journeyman
- Advance
A high school diploma and an apprenticeship are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a glazier →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Glass cutting
- Frame installation
- Curtain wall systems
- Sealants
- Rigging
People skills
- Precision
- Teamwork
- Safety focus
- Patience
All glazier skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good union pay
- Big projects
- Visible results
- Average growth
Cons
- Work at heights
- Heavy glass
- Cut risk
- Weather
Certifications and licenses
- Glazier apprenticeship: Union.
- NGA certification: National Glass Association.
- Lift certification: Required.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
Career path
- Apprentice: Entry.
- Journeyman Glazier: Skilled.
- Foreman: Lead.
- Glazing Contractor: Business.
Learn the job before day one
Our Glazier training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as install a storefront glass panel and cut glass cleanly, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Carpenter
Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.
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Ironworker
Raise the steel frames of buildings, bridges and towers, high above the ground.
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Construction Laborer
Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.
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- Days to weeks (on the job)
Compare: Glazier vs. Auto Glass Technician · Glazier vs. Carpenter · Glazier vs. Ironworker · Glazier vs. Construction Laborer
Glazier FAQ
Do I need an apprenticeship?
It’s the common path.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
Is it dangerous?
It has risks from glass and heights.
How much does a glazier make?
The median annual wage for glaziers was $57,080 ($27.44 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,300 and the highest 10% earned more than $89,790.
How long does it take to become a glazier?
Most people need about 3–4 year apprenticeship of training. A high school diploma and an apprenticeship are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a glazier?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-2121 (Glaziers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Glaziers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.