Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.
Also called: Auto Glass Installer (Automotive Glass Installer), Auto Glass Mechanic (Automotive Glass Mechanic), Auto Glass Repair Specialist (Automotive Glass Repair Specialist), Auto Glass Specialist (Automotive Glass Specialist), Auto Glass Tech (Automotive Glass Technician), Auto Glazier (Automotive Glazier)
Median pay
$47,630
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,390 – $70,650
People employed
20,310
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 3.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 4.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 5.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 6.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 7.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (45 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers salary in every state →
What automotive glass installers and repairers do
- 01Select appropriate tools, safety equipment, and parts, according to job requirements.
- 02Prime all scratches on pinchwelds with primer and allow to dry.
- 03Remove all dirt, foreign matter, and loose glass from damaged areas, apply primer along windshield or window edges, and allow primer to dry.
- 04Check for and remove moisture or contamination in damaged areas and keep areas dry until repairs are complete.
- 05Apply a bead of urethane around the perimeter of each pinchweld and dress the remaining urethane on the pinchwelds so that it is of uniform level and thickness.
- 06Obtain windshields or windows for specific automobile makes and models from stock and examine them for defects prior to installation.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from automotive glass installers and repairers
- Mechanical Door Repairers82% · +17%
- Glaziers79% · +20%
- Insulation Workers, Mechanical76% · +22%
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic76% · −3%
- Home Appliance Repairers76% · +7%
Change into automotive glass installers and repairers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Mechanical Door Repairers79% · $55,720
- Locksmiths and Safe Repairers78% · $51,320
- Glaziers75% · $57,080
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants73% · $35,670
- Home Appliance Repairers72% · $50,990
Majors that lead here
- Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.