Career comparison
Auto Glass Technician vs. Tire Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Auto glass technicians earn more at the median ($47,630 vs. $37,710), while tire technicians usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Auto glass technicians replace and repair windshields and vehicle glass, including camera calibration. Tire technicians mount, balance and repair tires on cars, trucks and equipment.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Auto Glass Technician | Tire Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,630 ($22.90/hr) | $37,710 ($18.13/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,390 – $70,650 | $30,010 – $50,230 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.7% (faster than average) | +3.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 1,300 | 12,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few months on the job | A few weeks on the job |
| Key credential | AGSC certification | TIA ATS certification |
| Work setting | Technicians work in shops and in mobile vans at customer locations.. | Technicians work in tire shops, dealerships and on the road.. |
What each job does
Auto Glass Technician
- Repair windshield chips
- Remove damaged glass
- Install windshields and windows
- Apply adhesives
- Calibrate ADAS cameras
Tire Technician
- Mount and dismount tires
- Balance wheels
- Repair punctures
- Rotate tires
- Check tread and pressure
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and physical work. 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 tire technician if…
- I like hands-on work
- I’m strong and active
- I want short training
Still torn? Take the Auto Glass Technician fit quiz and the Tire Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, auto glass technician or tire technician?
Auto Glass Technicians earn more at the median: $47,630 versus $37,710 for tire technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Tire Technicians typically train faster (A few weeks on the job) than auto glass technicians (A few months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects auto glass technicians to grow +5.7% from 2025–35, compared with +3.4% for tire technicians.