Updated 2024 · Construction
How to Become a Glazier
Glaziers install glass in windows, skylights, storefronts, and display cases in residential and commercial buildings. They also install mirrors, shower doors, and glass curtain walls.
Steps to Become a Glazier
- Meet basic requirements, You must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. A strong foundation in math, physics, and shop classes helps.
- Apply to an apprenticeship program, Glazier apprenticeships last 4 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apply through your local union (IBEW, UA, etc.) or a non-union contractor program. You earn while you learn from day one.
- Complete required training, Complete 8000 hours of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.
- Earn certifications, Required certifications include: OSHA 10/30-Hour, NGA Glazier Certification, Fall protection certification.
- Pass the journeyman exam, After completing your apprenticeship, pass the journeyman licensing exam in your state to earn full journeyman status and pay.
What Does a Glazier Do?
Glaziers install glass in windows, skylights, storefronts, and display cases in residential and commercial buildings. They also install mirrors, shower doors, and glass curtain walls.
Daily Duties
- Measure and cut glass to specification
- Install glass in metal and wood frames
- Install glass curtain walls on commercial buildings
- Apply sealants and weatherstripping
- Remove and replace broken glass
Skills Needed
- Glass cutting and handling
- Curtain wall installation
- Sealant application
- Blueprint reading
- Rigging for glass panels
Required Certifications
- OSHA 10/30-Hour
- NGA Glazier Certification
- Fall protection certification
Glazier Salary (2024)
The national median glazier salary is $58,622 per year. Pay ranges from $46,040 in the lowest-paying metro to $105,080 in the highest-paying metro. See the full glazier salary breakdown by city.
Apprentice Pay Progression
Glazier apprentices earn while they learn, starting at approximately 40% of journeyman pay:
| Year | % of Journeyman | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 40% | $23,449 |
| Year 2 | 57% | $33,415 |
| Year 3 | 73% | $42,794 |
| Year 4 | 90% | $52,760 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $58,622 |
Union vs Non-Union Glazier Pay
Union glaziers earn 34% more than non-union workers, $33.80/hour union vs $25.22/hour non-union. Approximately 28.1% of glaziers are union members. See the full union vs non-union comparison.
Work Environment
Glaziers work on construction sites, often at significant heights installing curtain walls and windows. Risk of cuts from glass and falls from scaffolding.
Career Outlook
Demand growing with commercial construction and the trend toward larger glass facades in modern buildings. Energy-efficient glass installations drive additional demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
The national median salary for a glazier is $58,622 per year (2024 BLS data). Pay ranges from $46,040 to $105,080 depending on location, with top earners in the 90th percentile making significantly more.
It takes 4 years to complete a glazier apprenticeship. During this time, you earn while you learn, starting at approximately 40-50% of journeyman wages and receiving annual raises.
No college degree is required to become a glazier. The primary path is through an apprenticeship program or trade school. You will need to earn specific certifications: OSHA 10/30-Hour and NGA Glazier Certification.
Glazier earns a Trade Pay Score grade of C, meaning it rates moderately on pay relative to cost of living, wage growth, and demand. Demand growing with commercial construction and the trend toward larger glass facades in modern buildings. Energy-efficient glass installations drive additional demand.
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