What Glaziers Do
Glaziers install glass in windows, skylights, and other fixtures in buildings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbvw1Y5dMQA
Work Environment
As in many other construction trades, the work of glaziers is physically demanding. They may experience cuts from tools and glass, falls from ladders and scaffolding, and exposure to solvents. Most work full time.
How to Become a Glazier
Glaziers typically enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn their trade through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
Pay
The median annual wage for glaziers was $44,630 in May 2019.
Job Outlook
Employment of glaziers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job opportunities are expected from growth in the construction industry and from the need to replace glaziers who leave the occupation each year.
Glaziers install glass in windows, skylights, and other fixtures in buildings.
Duties
Glaziers typically do the following:
- Follow blueprints and specifications
- Remove any existing glass before installing replacement glass
- Cut glass to the specified size and shape
- Use measuring tape, plumb lines, and levels to ensure proper fitting
- Make or install sashes and moldings for installing glass
- Fasten glass into sashes or frames with clips, moldings, or other types of fasteners
- Add weather seal or putty around pane edges to seal joints
Glaziers specialize in installing different glass products, such as insulated glass that retains warm or cool air and tempered glass that is less prone to breaking.
In homes, glaziers install or replace glass items including windows, mirrors, shower doors, and bathtub enclosures. On commercial projects, glaziers install items such as room dividers, display cases, and security windows. For either residential or commercial exterior projects, glaziers may install items such as architectural glass systems (glass used for exterior walls or other building material) or storefront windows in businesses.
For most large construction projects, glass is precut and mounted into frames at a factory or shop. The finished glass arrives at the jobsite ready for glaziers to position and secure into place. Using cranes or hoists with suction cups, workers lift large, heavy pieces of glass for installation. If the glass is not secure inside the frame, glaziers may attach steel and aluminum sashes or frames to the building and then secure the glass with clips, moldings, or other types of fasteners.
Workers who replace and repair glass in motor vehicles are described in the automotive body and glass repairers profile.
Glaziers held about 52,800 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of glaziers were as follows:
| Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors | 69% |
| Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers | 14 |
| Building finishing contractors | 5 |
| Manufacturing | 5 |
| Self-employed workers | 1 |
As in many other construction trades, the work of glaziers is physically demanding. Glaziers spend most of the day standing, bending, or reaching, and they often must lift and maneuver heavy, cumbersome materials, such as large glass plates. Glaziers are often exposed to the weather while installing glass. They may be required to travel to different jobsites for commercial or residential work.
Injuries and Illnesses
The work of glaziers can be dangerous, and workers risk injury. Injuries may include cuts from tools and glass, falls from ladders and scaffolding, and exposure to solvents. To minimize their risk of harm, workers may wear protective gear, such as safety glasses, harnesses, and gloves.
Work Schedules
Most glaziers work full time.
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of glaziers.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Automotive Body and Glass Repairers |
Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $42,350 |
Carpenters |
Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $48,330 | |
Construction Laborers and Helpers |
Construction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites. |
See How to Become One | $36,000 | |
Drywall Installers, Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers |
Drywall and ceiling tile installers hang wallboard and install ceiling tile inside buildings. Tapers prepare the wallboard for painting. |
No formal educational credential | $47,360 | |
Masonry Workers |
Masonry workers use bricks, concrete and concrete blocks, and natural and manmade stones to build structures. |
See How to Become One | $46,500 | |
Sheet Metal Workers |
Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $50,400 | |
Solar Photovoltaic Installers |
Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $44,890 | |
Flooring Installers and Tile and Marble Setters |
Flooring installers and tile and marble setters lay and finish carpet, wood, vinyl, and tile. |
No formal educational credential | $42,050 |
For more details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in this trade, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local contractors or firms that employ glaziers, or local union-management finishing trade apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about glaziers, visit
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
For information about opportunities for military veterans, visit:
Related Career Outlook Articles
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Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Glaziers,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/glaziers.htm (visited ).
