Occupation · SOC 47-2121
Glaziers
Install glass in windows, skylights, store fronts, and display cases, or on surfaces, such as building fronts, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.
Median wage
$55,440
$37,710–$98,780
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
57,000
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
5 mapped
Core skills
CoordinationTime ManagementReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsAdministration and ManagementDesign
Technology & tools
Project management softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareOperating system software
Representative tasks
Read and interpret blueprints or specifications to determine size, shape, color, type, or thickness of glass, location of framing, installation procedures, or staging or scaffolding materials required.Determine plumb of walls or ceilings, using plumb lines and levels.Install pre-assembled metal or wood frameworks for windows or doors to be fitted with glass panels, using hand tools.Fabricate or install metal sashes or moldings for glass installation, using aluminum or steel framing.Operate cranes or hoists with suction cups to lift large, heavy pieces of glass.Set glass doors into frames and bolt metal hinges, handles, locks, or other hardware to attach doors to frames and walls.Cut, fit, install, repair, or replace glass or glass substitutes, such as plastic or aluminum, in building interiors or exteriors or in furniture or other products.Drive trucks to installation sites and unload mirrors, glass equipment, or tools.Load and arrange glass or mirrors onto delivery trucks, using suction cups or cranes to lift glass.Measure mirrors and dimensions of areas to be covered to determine work procedures.Cut and attach mounting strips, metal or wood moldings, rubber gaskets, or metal clips to surfaces in preparation for mirror installation.Pack spaces between moldings and glass with glazing compounds and trim excess material with glazing knives.Assemble, erect, or dismantle scaffolds, rigging, or hoisting equipment.Cut and remove broken glass prior to installing replacement glass.Secure mirrors in position, using mastic cement, putty, bolts, or screws.Measure and mark outlines or patterns on glass to indicate cutting lines.Grind or polish glass, smoothing edges when necessary.Fasten glass panes into wood sashes or frames with clips, points, or moldings, adding weather seals or putty around pane edges to seal joints.Score glass with cutters' wheels, breaking off excess glass by hand or with notched tools.Cut, assemble, fit, or attach metal-framed glass enclosures for showers, bathtubs, display cases, skylights, solariums, or other structures.Prepare glass for cutting by resting it on rack edges or against cutting tables and brushing thin layer of oil along cutting lines or dipping cutting tools in oil.Move furniture to clear work sites and cover floors or furnishings with drop cloths.Confer with customers to determine project requirements or to provide cost estimates.Select the type or color of glass or mirror according to specifications.Measure, cut, fit, and press anti-glare adhesive film to glass or spray glass with tinting solution to prevent light glare.Assemble and cement sections of stained glass together.Create patterns on glass by etching, sandblasting, or painting designs.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Blueprint specifications — read and identify basic glass type, size, and shape requirements under direct supervision on a commercial job site.Plumb lines and levels — use to check wall and ceiling alignment under close guidance during initial installations.Hand tools — assist in installing pre-assembled metal or wood window and door frameworks under a journeyman glazier's direction.Glass panels and substitutes — learn to handle and carry safely using established protocols on a residential job site.Glass-cutting tools — practice basic straight cuts on flat glass stock under direct instructor or crew-lead supervision.Work truck — ride along and assist in unloading mirrors, glass equipment, and tools at installation sites.Safety equipment — apply personal protective equipment, including gloves and eye protection, consistently at all times on the job site.Basic measurements — take and record dimensions of window or door openings using tape measures under supervisor review.Metal hinges and hardware — assist in bolting handles and locks to glass door frames under journeyman direction.Material inventory — help organize and sort glass stock, framing materials, and tools in a shop or staging area under supervision.
developing
Blueprints and installation specifications — interpret independently to determine glass thickness, color, and framing location on routine residential and light commercial projects.Plumb lines and digital levels — determine plumb of walls and ceilings with minimal oversight to ensure accurate glass placement.Pre-assembled window and door frameworks — install metal or wood frames using hand tools with reduced supervision on standard commercial installations.Aluminum and steel sashes — fabricate and fit metal moldings for glass panels on routine door and window jobs in the field.Glass and plastic substitutes — cut, fit, and install in building interiors and exteriors following established procedures on moderately complex assignments.Suction-cup hoisting equipment — operate under limited supervision to lift and position large, heavy glass panels during commercial glazing projects.Glass door hardware — set doors into frames and attach hinges, handles, and locks to complete functional assemblies on schedule.Work truck — drive to job sites, safely unload glass and equipment, and manage tool inventory across multiple daily stops.Time management practices — coordinate daily tasks and material staging to meet project milestones on multi-phase installation jobs.Customer communication — explain installation progress and address basic client questions with professional courtesy at residential and small-business sites.
proficient
Complex blueprints and shop drawings — interpret and apply specifications for custom glass shapes, specialty coatings, and non-standard framing on large commercial or curtain-wall projects.Plumb and layout systems — establish precise plumb and level references across multi-story facades, identifying and correcting structural deviations independently.Specialty framing systems — install and align custom metal and wood frameworks for oversized or architecturally complex window and door configurations without oversight.Metal sash fabrication — design and produce aluminum or steel molding profiles to exact tolerances for non-standard glass installations in high-rise or retrofit environments.Crane and hoist operations — direct and operate suction-cup lifting equipment for very large structural glass panels in multi-story or curtain-wall applications.Repair and replacement work — diagnose cracked, fogged, or failed glass assemblies and execute repairs or replacements efficiently on occupied commercial buildings.CAD and project management software — use to review installation drawings, track job progress, and coordinate material orders for multiple concurrent projects.Critical problem-solving — evaluate and resolve non-routine installation challenges, such as out-of-square openings or unexpected substrate conditions, on active construction sites.Glass door systems — complete full installation of frameless and framed glass entrances, including all hardware, to manufacturer specifications on commercial fit-out projects.Staging and scaffolding planning — assess and select appropriate scaffolding or lift equipment requirements based on blueprint specifications and site conditions.
advanced
Project scope and specifications — lead pre-construction review of blueprints and specifications for large-scale glazing contracts, setting quality and safety standards for the crew.Crew coordination — assign tasks, mentor apprentices, and oversee multiple glazier teams across concurrent commercial or institutional job sites to ensure on-time delivery.Safety and compliance programs — develop and enforce site-specific safety protocols for glass handling, hoisting, and scaffolding operations across the organization.Estimation and bidding — apply deep knowledge of materials, labor, and logistics to prepare accurate cost estimates and bids for complex glazing projects.Quality assurance — establish inspection standards and conduct final sign-off on all installed glass assemblies, framing, and hardware to meet building codes and client specifications.Vendor and supplier relationships — negotiate material contracts and manage supply chains for specialty glass products, ensuring availability for high-volume project pipelines.Training program development — design and deliver structured on-the-job training curricula for emerging and developing glaziers, integrating blueprint reading, tool use, and safety competencies.Project management software and databases — oversee implementation of digital tracking tools across the glazing department to monitor labor hours, material usage, and project milestones.Client and stakeholder communication — present project plans, progress updates, and resolution strategies to architects, general contractors, and building owners on major commercial developments.Industry standards and innovation — evaluate emerging glazing technologies, such as smart glass or unitized curtain-wall systems, and lead adoption decisions that advance organizational capability.
Also known as
44 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
GlazerAuto Glass Tech (Automobile Glass Technician)Glass GlazierWindow Glass InstallerStructural (Air Force 3E3X1)Art Glass SetterWindows Technician (Windows Tech)Lead ApplierWindow Treatment InstallerGlass MechanicWindow Treatment SpecialistStructural Craftsman (Air Force 3E371)Glazier WorkerStructural Journeyman (Air Force 3E351)Stained Glass JoinerWindow GlazierWindow Covering InstallerStained Glass InstallerGlass Technician (Glass Tech)Commercial GlazierGlass FitterStained Glass GlazierStructural Apprentice (Air Force 3E331)Window AssemblerWindows ConsultantGlazier, Stained GlassStructural Helper (Air Force 3E311)Glass InserterGlass SetterGlazierInstallation Technician (Installation Tech)Window Tech (Window Technician)Window And Door InstallerWindow InstallerResidential GlazierGlazier ApprenticePlate Glass InstallerGlassmanUnion GlazierLeaded Glass Installer