Career comparison
Auto Glass Technician vs. Automotive Service Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Automotive service technicians earn more at the median ($50,620 vs. $47,630), while auto glass technicians usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Auto glass technicians replace and repair windshields and vehicle glass, including camera calibration. Automotive service technicians inspect, diagnose and repair cars and light trucks, including hybrids and EVs.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Auto Glass Technician | Automotive Service Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,630 ($22.90/hr) | $50,620 ($24.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,390 – $70,650 | $34,660 – $81,790 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.7% (faster than average) | +5.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,300 | 66,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | A few months on the job | 6–24 months |
| Key credential | AGSC certification | ASE A1–A9 |
| Work setting | Technicians work in shops and in mobile vans at customer locations.. | Technicians work in dealerships, independent repair shops, chain stores, fleet garages and government agencies. |
What each job does
Auto Glass Technician
- Repair windshield chips
- Remove damaged glass
- Install windshields and windows
- Apply adhesives
- Calibrate ADAS cameras
Automotive Service Technician
- Perform inspections and preventive maintenance
- Diagnose problems with scan tools and test equipment
- Repair brakes, steering, suspension and drivetrain components
- Repair engines and electrical systems
- Service heating and air-conditioning systems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and in-demand. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose auto glass technician if…
- I like hands-on work
- I’m careful and precise
- I like working on my own
Choose automotive service technician if…
- I enjoy working on cars
- I like diagnosing problems with tools and data
- I’m comfortable explaining technical problems simply
Still torn? Take the Auto Glass Technician fit quiz and the Automotive Service Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, auto glass technician or automotive service technician?
Automotive Service Technicians earn more at the median: $50,620 versus $47,630 for auto glass technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Auto Glass Technicians typically train faster (A few months on the job) than automotive service technicians (6–24 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects auto glass technicians to grow +5.7% from 2025–35, compared with +5.0% for automotive service technicians.