Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
Shape molten glass according to patterns.
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers shape molten glass according to patterns. The role reports a median annual salary of $45,690 in the US and is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.44 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Active Listening.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £31,717 a year for Process operatives n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8119). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
No official India pay figure for this career: it falls in more than one occupation group, and the Government of India's labour survey (PLFS) publishes pay only by occupation group.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Production and Processing
- Design
- Mechanical
- Engineering and Technology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Education and Training
What you'd actually do
- Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
- Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
- Place glass into dies or molds of presses and control presses to form products, such as glassware components or optical blanks.
- Spray or swab molds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass.
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers do?
Shape molten glass according to patterns.
How much does Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers earn?
The median annual salary for Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers in the US is $45,690.
What is the job outlook for Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers?
The role is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 41,700 workers.
How do I become glass blowers, molders, benders, and finishers?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Active Listening, Critical Thinking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers?
Our AI-durability model gives Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers a score of 0.44 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.