Glaziers: Salary Overview
Glaziers cut glass and install it on windows, skylights and they also install other fixtures in buildings.
A glazier’s job responsibilities include following blueprints, removing any existing glass before installing a new glass, cutting glasses to a specified size and shape, making and installing sashes and moldings before installing glass, and fastening the glass into sashes or frames.
Glaziers may install glass items such as windows and mirrors in homes, room dividers, security windows, storefront windows, and display cases.
For larger construction projects, the glass factory typically precuts and mounts glass into frames and glaziers position and secure the precut glass at the job site.
Glaziers’ work is physically demanding because they have to spend most of the day standing and lifting large glass plates and other heavy materials.
There is also a significant risk of injury associated with this profession, glaziers should be very careful and they have to wear protective equipment to avoid cuts, falls, and exposure to potentially dangerous solvents.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for glaziers was $44,630 in May 2019.
This is the wage at which half of all workers in this occupation earned less than this amount and half earned more.
Salaries vary depending on the glazier’s experience, the industry of employment, and the employer; entry-level glaziers typically make less than $28,000 a year, while experienced workers can make more than $80,000 per year.
Glazier Salary by Industry
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, glaziers held about 53,500 jobs in the United States in 2018, the majority of them (69%) being employed by foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors.
Other glaziers worked for building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers, building finishing contractors, or in the manufacturing industry.
According to BLS, around 5% of glaziers were self-employed in 2018.
Glazier salaries vary widely depending on the industry of employment.
Those who work for foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors were paid, on average, with $51,810 a year while glaziers employed by building materials and supplies dealers earned approximately $43,530 a year on average, as of May 2019.
The average annual salary was $49,330 for glaziers who worked for building finishing contractors and $39,680 for those who worked in the industry of fabricated metal product manufacturing.
According to the report published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest average annual salary was earned by those who worked for local governments- a field that hired only 70 glaziers.
Glaziers may earn an above-average wage in the field of merchant wholesalers of durable goods- this industry hired approximately 510 glaziers in 2019 and paid them, on average, with $64,970 per year.
About 60 glaziers were employed by colleges, universities, and professional schools- a field that paid workers in this profession with $62,910 a year, on average.
130 glaziers worked for elementary and secondary schools and were paid, on average, with $57,910 per year.
These are only average numbers and a glazier’s salary is also influenced by his/her level of experience, skills, and level of education.
Most glaziers learn the ins and outs of this trade through a 3-4 year apprenticeship or on-job-training.
During this period they typically earn a wage close to the minimum for this profession.
After completing the apprenticeship glaziers become journey workers and their salary grows accordingly.
Having more than 15-20 years of experience and a strong set of skills will help you gain a wage that is close to the 90th percentile, which is $83,780.
Glazier Salary by Compensation Structure
Glaziers are typically paid an hourly rate or a fixed salary.
They may also gain bonuses, and commissions on projects but some of them also receive a share of the profit.
According to payscale.com, glaziers earned, on average $1,012 in bonuses, as of May 2020, $1,000 in commissions and $2,023 in profit sharing.
Some of them also receive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
* Based on information from the May 2024 salary report from the BLS. The figures represent accumulated data for all states of employment for Glaziers. BLS data represents averages and medians for workers at all levels of education and experience. This data doesn't represent starting salaries.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.