Glaziers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Glaziers fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Glaziers earn a median salary of $55,440 per year, ranking in the top 55% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.3% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do glaziers earn?

The median annual wage for glaziers is $55,440. That puts glaziers at #448 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is glaziers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for glaziers is +3.3%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 60K positions in 2024 to 62K in 2034, a net change of 2K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do glaziers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working glaziers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Install pre-assembled metal or wood frameworks for windows or doors to be fitted with glass panels, using hand tools.
2. 2.Drive trucks to installation sites and unload mirrors, glass equipment, or tools.
3. 3.Pack spaces between moldings and glass with glazing compounds and trim excess material with glazing knives.
4. 4.Assemble, erect, or dismantle scaffolds, rigging, or hoisting equipment.
5. 5.Score glass with cutters' wheels, breaking off excess glass by hand or with notched tools.
6. 6.Move furniture to clear work sites and cover floors or furnishings with drop cloths.
7. 7.Determine plumb of walls or ceilings, using plumb lines and levels.
8. 8.Measure mirrors and dimensions of areas to be covered to determine work procedures.

Top skills for glaziers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become glazier?

Glaziers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
  $106,580 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
  $78,690 median
• Roof Bolters, Mining
  $76,640 median
• Boilermakers
  $73,340 median
• Construction and Building Inspectors
  $72,120 median
• Pile Driver Operators
  $70,510 median

Common questions parents ask about glaziers