bipoc male in blue overalls handling large sheets of glass

Glaziers

(NOC 73111)
Annual Earnings
$60,482
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
360

Career Overview

Glaziers cut, fit, install and replace glass in residential, commercial and industrial buildings, on exterior walls of buildings and other structures, and in furniture and other products.

People in these occupations:

  • Are also responsible for installing metal frameworks for glass and building the walls of buildings made of suspended glass panels
  • Work with pre-glazed and panelized glazing systems
  • Work for construction glass installation contractors, retail service and repair shops and glass fabrication shops
  • May be self-employed
  • Must be able to work both independently and in a team setting
  • Should have good manual dexterity, as well as have good eyesight for measuring and examining glass for flaws
  • Should be able to understand door hardware and locking/closing types and systems
  • Should have mathematical ability
  • Should be physically fit and able to lift heavy objects, as well as be comfortable working at heights
  • Should also have a clean driving record and be able to operate and run elevated platforms and equipment

 

Duties

Glaziers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Read and interpret blueprints and specifications to determine type and thickness of glass, frame, installation procedure and materials required
  • Measure and mark glass and cut glass using glass cutters or computerized cutter
  • Tint glass and create patterns on glass by etching, sandblasting or painting designs
  • Assemble, erect and dismantle scaffolds, rigging and hoisting equipment
  • Position glass panes into frames and secure glass using clips, points or mouldings
  • Assemble and install prefabricated glass, mirrors or glass products on walls, ceilings or exteriors of building
  • Fabricate metal frames for glass installation
  • Install, fit, fabricate and attach architectural metals or related substitute products in commercial and residential buildings
  • Install pre-cut mirrors and opaque and transparent glass panels in frames to form exterior walls of buildings
  • Replace glass in furniture and other products
  • Prepare and install skylights, showcases and aquariums and stained or other special glass in churches, museums, sports and other establishments
  • Repair and service residential windows, doors and other glass supporting structures, and replace damaged glass or faulty sealant
  • May prepare cost estimates for customers or clients

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$60,482

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$37.00/hr
Median$29.00/hr
Low$20.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

1,780

% Employed Full Time

57%
Source: 2021 Census

Glaziers work a standard 40-hour workweek, however, some overtime may also be required to complete projects and meet deadlines.

Work is done in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments, depending on the job. Outdoor settings may include construction sites or highrise buildings. Outdoor work may also involve working at heights on scaffolding, as well as working under various weather conditions. Indoor work is typically done when repairing or replacing glass in vehicles or furniture.

Glaziers take safety precautions since there is a risk of injury due to the use of cutting tools or from broken glass. Workers are also required to lift heavy objects, which increases the risk of back injury.

Some travel may also be required. Workers should also attend and understand safety programs related to their work.

Career Pathways

With appropriate education and experience, glaziers may progress to supervisory positions, such as foreman, maintenance manager or service manager or they may start their own businesses.

Other career paths include consulting, estimating, project coordination and management, or sales with industry-related products.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Glazier
Glazier and metal mechanic
Glazier apprentice
Plate glass installer
Stained glass glazier
Structural glass glazier

Education, Training and Skills

Completion of secondary school is recommended, but is not required. While trade certification is not required to be an glazier in B.C., it will likely increase job opportunities. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program is required to be eligible for trade certification.

Apprenticeship programs:

  • Can be started in secondary school, through entry-level training (foundation programs) at colleges and technical institutes or by direct entry
  • Require workers to find a sponsor employer who is willing to participate in the program

Upon completion of the four-year apprenticeship program and training, as well as successfully passing the interprovincial exam, glaziers are certified as journeypersons. Once individuals pass the interprovincial exam (the final exam for this trade), they will achieve certification and will automatically have a Red Seal endorsement through SkilledTradesBC.

Trainees may also be certified in this trade through the challenge process. If an individual completes 9,600 hours of work in the trade, they can challenge the examination without technical training. Workers are certified if they achieve a minimum score of 70 percent. For more information please see SkilledTradesBC's website at https://skilledtradesbc.ca.

Glaziers who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact SkilledTradeBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Trades training resources

Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

50%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

50%
Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

50%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

50%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

47%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

47%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

47%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

43%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

43%
Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.

43%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

1,780
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 35 2.0%
Kootenay 15 0.8%
Mainland/Southwest 1,255 70.5%
North Coast and Nechako 10 0.6%
Northeast 15 0.8%
Thompson-Okanagan 180 10.1%
Vancouver Island/Coast 270 15.2%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

360
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 10 0.3%
Kootenay Not available Not available
Mainland/Southwest 220 0.3%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 70 1.1%
Vancouver Island/Coast 60 0.4%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Construction260
Manufacturing40
Retail Trade20
Repair, Personal And Non-Profit Services20
Wholesale Trade10
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Job growth for glaziers largely depends on trends in the Construction, Manufacturing and Retail industries, where the work is mainly concentrated. Work in the Retail and Manufacturing sectors is less affected by economic cycles than in the Construction industry. Construction activity is sensitive to factors such as interest rates, population growth and the cost of materials.

Industry sources report an insufficient number of people entering this occupation, mainly due to a lack of knowledge about the job.

Resources