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Commercial Construction
Turner Construction, Skanska, DPR Construction
Glaziers
Glaziers measure, cut, fit, and install glass in windows, doors, mirrors, shower enclosures, skylights, and other building openings. The work is a mix of precision and brute force: one small measurement error can ruin a pane, but the job also involves heavy lifting, cranes, and working on scaffolds or ladders. It is a solid hands-on trade, but the tradeoff is that the work is physical, site-based, and not especially forgiving.
Also known as GlazierGlass InstallerGlass and Glazing InstallerCommercial GlazierResidential Glazier
Median Salary
$55,440
Mean $60,260
U.S. Workforce
~57K
5.1K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.3%
60.5K to 62.5K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Glaziers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~57K workers, with a median annual pay of $55,440 and roughly 5.1K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 60.5 K in 2024 to 62.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Glazier Apprentice / Helper and can progress toward Lead Glazier / Foreman. High-value skills usually include Measuring, Leveling & Layout Tools, Suction Cups, Hoists & Crane Rigging, and Hand Tools, Power Tools & Glass Cutters, paired with soft skills such as Coordination, Critical Thinking, and Reading Comprehension.
Core Responsibilities
- Measure openings and check that walls, doors, and ceilings are level before any glass goes in.
- Cut and fit glass into showers, mirrors, doors, skylights, and other framed structures.
- Install metal or wood frames and attach hinges, handles, locks, and other hardware.
- Use suction cups, hoists, or cranes to move heavy panes from trucks to the work area.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Measure openings and check that walls, doors, and ceilings are level before any glass goes in.
02 Cut and fit glass into showers, mirrors, doors, skylights, and other framed structures.
03 Install metal or wood frames and attach hinges, handles, locks, and other hardware.
04 Use suction cups, hoists, or cranes to move heavy panes from trucks to the work area.
05 Set up and take down scaffolding or rigging so glass can be installed safely at height.
06 Inspect the finished work for alignment, fit, and safety, then make adjustments if needed.
Industries That Hire
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Building Products Manufacturing
Saint-Gobain, Guardian Glass, Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope
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Residential Remodeling
Pella, Renewal by Andersen, The Home Depot
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Facilities Management
CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield
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Specialty Contractors
Hensel Phelps, Mortenson, Whiting-Turner
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get into the trade without a college degree, and apprenticeship training is the normal way to learn it.
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Pay is solid for a hands-on trade, with median annual earnings of $55,440 and mean pay of $60,260.
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There are about 5.1 thousand annual openings, so employers keep hiring even when job growth is modest.
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The work is varied: one day may involve mirrors and shower enclosures, and another may involve skylights, doors, or storefront glass.
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The job rewards careful, practical problem-solving, so people who like precise work can see the results immediately.
Challenges
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It is physically tough work that often involves lifting heavy glass, working on scaffolds, and handling sharp materials.
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Growth is slow at 3.3% over the decade, with only about 2.0 thousand new jobs projected from 2024 to 2034.
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The field is relatively small, with about 57 thousand current jobs, so openings can swing with construction and renovation spending.
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The pay ceiling is moderate unless you move into supervision, estimating, or another related role.
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Much of the work is tied to job sites, so weather, project delays, and construction slowdowns can cut hours or push work around.
Career Progression
Glazier Apprentice / Helper
0-2 years
$34K-$42K
Learns safety, material handling, measuring, and basic installation work while assisting experienced glaziers.
Glazier
2-6 years
$48K-$64K
Handles standard installations on homes and commercial sites, including doors, windows, mirrors, and shower enclosures.
Senior Glazier THIS ROLE
6-10 years
$65K-$79K
Takes on larger panes, tighter tolerances, and more complex commercial or custom work with less supervision.
Lead Glazier / Foreman
10+ years
$80K-$96K
Runs crews, plans lifts and installs, checks quality, and handles the trickiest jobs on site.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common formal entry point, held by 44.16% of workers in this role.
Less than a high school diploma
A large share of workers, 35.77%, enter without finishing high school and learn the trade through shop or jobsite training.
Post-secondary certificate
A smaller but real path, held by 12.0% of workers, often through a construction or glazing program.
Apprenticeship
This is a practical route into the trade and matches the standard on-the-job training path used for glaziers.
Key Skills
Technical
Measuring, Leveling & Layout Tools 60%
Suction Cups, Hoists & Crane Rigging 60%
Hand Tools, Power Tools & Glass Cutters 60%
Blueprint Reading & Shop Drawings 58%
Metal Framing, Fasteners & Hardware Installation 58%
Scaffolding & Fall-Protection Systems 58%
Soft Skills
CoordinationCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSpeakingTime ManagementActive Listening Job Outlook and Trends
+3.3%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
5.1K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 60.5K to 62.5 K over the next decade, representing 3.3% growth. Around 5.1 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.