Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
SOC code 51-9195 · O*NET-SOC 51-9195.04 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$46,170
a year
Hourly
$22.20
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$47,500
$22.84 per hour
Middle 50%
$39,280 – $53,000
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$35,850 – $61,530
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
33,190
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $35,850
- $17.24/hr
- 25th percentile
- $39,280
- $18.88/hr
- Median percentile
- $46,170
- $22.20/hr
- 75th percentile
- $53,000
- $25.48/hr
- 90th percentile
- $61,530
- $29.58/hr
What do glass blowers, molders, benders, and finishers do?
Shape molten glass according to patterns.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
- Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.
- Blow 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.
- Cut lengths of tubing to specified sizes, using files or cutting wheels.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
- Develop sketches of glass products into blueprint specifications, applying knowledge of glass technology and glass blowing.
- Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
- Determine types and quantities of glass required to fabricate products.
How to qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a glass blowers, molders, benders, and finishers earn?
The national median is $46,170 a year. The full range runs from $35,850 at the 10th percentile to $61,530 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a glass blowers, molders, benders, and finishers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
- Writing2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
- Design3.6/5
- Production and Processing3.5/5
- Chemistry3.3/5
- Engineering and Technology3.1/5
- Mechanical3.0/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Administrative2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Quality Control Analysis, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Complex Problem Solving.