Working in Construction as a Glazier

If you’re considering your next career move, consider becoming a glazier. Glaziers are the skilled crafts workers — both male and female — who cut and install glass, metal, and hardware in all types of buildings, from private homes to high rises. If you’re looking for a secure new career, this specialty trade also fits the bill.  Currently, there are more jobs in this area than there are skilled people to fill them – and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued employment growth of 4% between now and 2031.

No degree? No problem! It’s long past the time to change the narrative about a trade career versus going to college. Learning a trade like glazing costs significantly less than earning a four-year college degree; lands you a job quickly in your chosen field; and has you earning a great income immediately, rather than incurring years of student debt.

According to College Board figures, the average cost of attending a public, four-year university during the 2021-22 school year was $27,330 for in-state students. Yet, trade school students spend only about $5,000 per year.

Trade school graduates can enter their profession after completing a program that takes two years or less – much more quickly than waiting to work after four years (or more) earning a bachelor’s degree. Anyone over the age of 18 who is interested in joining a glazing union can be hired as an apprentice without attending a trade school, as long as they have the equivalent of a high school degree and meet the on-the-job and union training requirements.

Visit our careers website to learn more about careers in glazing and currently open positions.

You probably know some college graduates who are stuck in low-paying non-career jobs and are faced with mounting student loan debt. In stark contrast, according to U.S. government statistics, 92% of 2022 apprentices who completed their trade program gained employment and went on to earn an average annual starting salary of $72,000.

Within the union, opportunities for glaziers start with apprenticeship, then progress to journeymen. Journeymen who demonstrate the ability to visualize the end result, show strong mechanical skills, are skilled with laying out materials and coordinating labor teams, and have great people skills, may be promoted to foremen. Good foremen can become superintendents.


Free Download: The Glazer’s Career Journey – our guide to the glaziers journey through their career.


There are many options for a career in glazing. At Giroux Glass, in addition to glaziers who have been with the company a long time, we have multiple cases of glaziers who have crossed over to working in other roles. Currently, we have a good number of project managers and project estimators who started as glaziers working in the field.

Picture yourself on a scaffold high above the city streets, installing huge pieces of glass into building exteriors. And with each project you complete comes the bragging rights — forever after – about what you installed throughout your own city. There’s no job quite like it.

Careers in glazing at Giroux Glass

Visit our careers website for more information about the trade and see open positions. Plus, learn about the culture here at Giroux Glass and watch videos to learn what some of our employees have to say about their chosen trade.