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Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

Typical education: High school diplomaLower pressure

What they do

Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $47,630 Median per year · $22.90/hr Most earn $35,390–$70,650

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Install, repair, or replace safety glass and related materials, such as back glass heating elements, on vehicles or equipment.
  • Install, repair, or replace safety glass and related materials, such as back glass heating elements, on vehicles or equipment.
  • Allow all glass parts installed with urethane ample time to cure, taking temperature and humidity into account.
  • Replace all moldings, clips, windshield wipers, or other parts that were removed prior to glass replacement or repair.
  • Replace or adjust motorized or manual window-raising mechanisms.
  • Select appropriate tools, safety equipment, and parts, according to job requirements.

Job outlook

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 1,300 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair76.7%
  • Self-employed (their own business)10.2%
  • Automobile dealers2.5%
  • Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies merchant wholesalers2.4%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Automotive glass installer is an accessible career. You can start with a high school diploma, and most people build up 1 to 2 years of related experience through hands-on work before they're fully comfortable doing this job on their own.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build a strong base in math, shop, and drafting or CAD if offered, since measuring and fitting glass accurately matters.

  2. Glazier

    6 months to 1 year

    Working with glass on jobs like windows and storefronts teaches you how to handle, cut, and set glass safely, and how to use common tools.

  3. Automotive Glass Installer Trainee

    6 months to 1 year

    Learn to remove old glass, prep the vehicle, apply urethane adhesive, and set new windshields under the guidance of an experienced installer.

  4. Automotive Glass Installer

    1 to 2 years of related experience before this job

    Work independently on windshield and side and rear window replacement and repair, and handle customers and insurance paperwork.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Auto Glass Technician

    2-4 years of experience first

    You take charge of tricky jobs, train newer installers, and check the quality of others' work, which builds leadership skills.

  2. Automotive Service Technician

    1-2 years in glass work, plus some formal training of experience first

    Moving into general vehicle repair means learning more about electrical systems, brakes, and engines, often through a certificate program or apprenticeship.

  3. Auto Glass Shop Manager

    3-5 years of experience first

    You oversee scheduling, staff, parts ordering, and customer relationships for a whole shop, which requires strong organization and business skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, drafting, or geometry classesHands-on shop work and measuring skills carry over directly to fitting glass precisely.
  • Look for a part-time or summer job at a car wash, auto shop, or glass companyEven simple tasks give you real exposure to vehicles and to working in a repair environment.
  • Join a career and technical student organization, if your school has oneThese groups often offer hands-on projects and events that help you explore skilled trades and build teamwork.
  • Learn basic auto parts and toolsHelping a family member with simple car maintenance builds comfort around vehicles and tools.
  • Practice clear communication and customer serviceExplaining things to customers is a big part of this job, and you can practice it in any job you hold.

In college

  • Take automotive technology or collision repair coursesClasses about vehicle structure, body work, and repair give you background that employers in this field value.
  • Work a part-time job at an auto glass or collision shopHands-on experience while you study helps you build the 1 to 2 years of related work most people have before this job.
  • Complete a workplace safety courseGlass handling and adhesives can be hazardous, so knowing safe practices shows employers you take the job seriously.
  • Build strong customer service and communication skillsMany installers talk directly with customers and insurance representatives, so these skills help you get hired and move up.
  • Join a student club related to automotive or skilled tradesClubs connect you with mentors, local employers, and opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local auto glass shop or glazing company whether they hire helpers or trainees, and whether they offer on-the-job training. Many people start this way.
  • Get comfortable with customer service and basic computer use. Shops use software for scheduling and insurance claims.
  • Keep a clean driving record and a valid driver's license, since many installers drive to customer locations.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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