Career comparison
Auto Glass Technician vs. Glazier
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Glaziers earn more at the median ($57,080 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. Glaziers install glass windows, storefronts and curtain walls on buildings.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Auto Glass Technician | Glazier | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,630 ($22.90/hr) | $57,080 ($27.44/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,390 – $70,650 | $37,300 – $89,790 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.7% (faster than average) | +1.9% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,300 | 3,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few months on the job | 3–4 year apprenticeship |
| Key credential | AGSC certification | Glazier apprenticeship |
| Work setting | Technicians work in shops and in mobile vans at customer locations.. | Glaziers work on commercial sites, homes and shops, often at heights.. |
What each job does
Auto Glass Technician
- Repair windshield chips
- Remove damaged glass
- Install windshields and windows
- Apply adhesives
- Calibrate ADAS cameras
Glazier
- Read plans
- Measure openings
- Cut glass
- Install frames
- Set glass
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working outdoors, and physical work. They sit in different fields, mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing and skilled trades & construction, but share transferable skills such as precision and precision.
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 glazier if…
- I like precise work
- I don’t mind heights
- I like big buildings
Still torn? Take the Auto Glass Technician fit quiz and the Glazier fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, auto glass technician or glazier?
Glaziers earn more at the median: $57,080 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 glaziers (3–4 year apprenticeship).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects auto glass technicians to grow +5.7% from 2025–35, compared with +1.9% for glaziers.