Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
Also called: Glass Blowers and Finishers
Shape molten glass according to patterns.
Also called: Bender, Blow Molder, Blower, Bottle Blower, Gaffer, Glass Artist
Median pay
$46,170
Pay for the broader BLS group “Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,850 – $61,530
People employed
33,190
Whole BLS group
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 happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 2.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 3.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 4.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 5.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
The hard parts
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers pay by state
Annual median pay by state (48 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic”.
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers salary in every state →
What glass blowers, molders, benders, and finishers do
- 01Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
- 02Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.
- 03Blow tubing into specified shapes to prevent glass from collapsing, using compressed air or own breath, or blow and rotate gathers in molds or on boards to obtain final shapes.
- 04Cut lengths of tubing to specified sizes, using files or cutting wheels.
- 05Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
- 06Develop sketches of glass products into blueprint specifications, applying knowledge of glass technology and glass blowing.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- Engineering and Technology
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
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 glass blowers, molders, benders, and finishers
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders84% · —
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic78% · —
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders78% · —
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers78% · —
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic77% · —
Change into glass blowers, molders, benders, and finishers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Upholsterers74% · $46,340
- Patternmakers, Wood69% · $49,630
- Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners67% · $46,420
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers65% · $41,640
- Craft Artists55% · $46,080