Glazier

Install glass in windows, skylights, store fronts, and display cases, or on surfaces, such as building fronts, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.

On the job, you would:

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.

Important Qualities

Ability to work at heights. Glaziers must not be afraid to work at great heights while installing glass windows in skyscrapers or other tall buildings.

Communication skills. Glaziers need to be able to convey information to other team members and customers to ensure that the work is done correctly.

Detail oriented. Glaziers must be precise in their measurements, cuts, and modifications to avoid making costly mistakes.

Physical stamina. Glaziers are on their feet most of the day moving heavy pieces of glass. They also need to be able to hold glass in place until it can be fully secured.

Physical strength. Glaziers often must lift heavy pieces of glass for hanging.

Reading comprehension skills. Glaziers must be able to understand and follow complex blueprints and instruction manuals.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		77%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		76%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		76%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		69%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		68%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		67%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		67%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		67%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		67%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		66%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		64%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		63%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		60%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		60%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		56%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		100%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		72%	Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
		69%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		60%	Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
		60%	Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
		56%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		56%	Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
		53%	Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
		53%	Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
		53%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Job Details

Responsibilities

Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.

Verify alignment of structures or equipment.

Install metal structural components.

Fabricate parts or components.

Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.

Install doors or windows.

Apply material to fill gaps in surfaces.

Install building fixtures.

Cut glass.

Remove worn, damaged or outdated materials from work areas.

Cut glass.

Install doors or windows.

Cut glass.

Install building fixtures.

Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction.

Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.

Install metal structural components.

Install wooden structural components.

Install doors or windows.

Cut metal components for installation.

Cut wood components for installation.

Assemble temporary equipment or structures.

Dismantle equipment or temporary structures.

Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction.

Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.

Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.

Mark reference points on construction materials.

Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.

Cut glass.

Trim excess material from installations.

Apply material to fill gaps in surfaces.

Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.

Communicate with clients about products, procedures, and policies.

Select construction materials.

Protect structures or surfaces near work areas to avoid damage.

Apply adhesives to construction materials.

Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.

Cut carpet, vinyl or other flexible materials.

Apply decorative or textured finishes or coverings.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		94%	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
		94%	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
		93%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		86%	Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
		86%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		85%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		85%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		82%	Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing?
		81%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		78%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		76%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		75%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		75%	Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
		74%	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
		74%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		73%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		73%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		73%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		72%	Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
		71%	Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
		69%	Exposed to High Places - How often does this job require exposure to high places?
		69%	Outdoors, Under Cover - How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (e.g., structure with roof but no walls)?
		68%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		67%	Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
		66%	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
		65%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		65%	Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
		65%	Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
		62%	Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling - How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
		62%	Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles - How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, or poles?
		61%	Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
		58%	Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings - How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
		58%	Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection - How much does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
		55%	In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
		54%	Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting - How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
		54%	Spend Time Walking and Running - How much does this job require walking and running?
		52%	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
		52%	Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions - How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
		52%	Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
		56%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		84%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		82%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		79%	Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		76%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		75%	Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
		74%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		67%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		67%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		66%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		65%	Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
		63%	Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
		62%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		61%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		60%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		60%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		59%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		58%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		58%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		56%	Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
		56%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		56%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		55%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		54%	Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
		53%	Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
		52%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		52%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

What Glaziers Do

Suction handles are used to pick up and maneuver glass.

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.

Work Environment

Glaziers held about 54,500 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of glaziers were as follows:

Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors	68%
Self-employed workers	5
Building finishing contractors	5
Manufacturing	4

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.

Getting Started

Education:

44%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

36%

Less than a High School Diploma

How to Become a Glazier

Glaziers typically learn their trade through a 4-year apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

Glaziers typically enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn their trade through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

Education

Glaziers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation.

Training

Glaziers typically learn their trade through a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship or on-the-job training. On the job, they learn to use the tools and equipment of the trade; handle, measure, cut, and install glass and metal framing; cut and fit moldings; and install and balance glass doors. Technical training includes learning different installation techniques, blueprint reading and sketching, general construction techniques, safety practices, and first aid.

A few groups sponsor apprenticeship programs, including several union and contractor associations. Most programs require apprentices to have a high school diploma or equivalent and be at least 18 years old. After completing an apprenticeship program, glaziers are considered to be journey workers who may do tasks on their own.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some states may require glaziers to have a license; check with your state for more information. Licensure requirements typically include passing a test and having a combination of education and work experience.

Glaziers may choose to get optional certification, such the Architectural Glass and Metal Technician (AGMT), to demonstrate competency and to broaden employment opportunities.

Job Outlook

Employment of glaziers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 5,500 openings for glaziers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

An important component of buildings, glass improves access to natural light. Demand for glaziers stems both from new construction and from the need to repair and replace windows and other glass in existing buildings.

Contacts for More Information

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.

Finishing Trades Institute

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

National Glass Association

For information about opportunities for military veterans, visit:

Helmets to Hardhats

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Glazier

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Important Qualities

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

What Glaziers Do

Duties

Work Environment

Injuries and Illnesses

Work Schedules

Getting Started

How to Become a Glazier

Education

Training

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Job Outlook

Employment

Contacts for More Information

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