How much do glaziers make in Michigan in 2026?

The median glazier in Michigan earns $52,770 per year, which works out to roughly $25.37 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the middle of the road — half the glaziers in the state earn more, half earn less. If you're just starting out or working a lower-volume shop, expect to land closer to the 25th percentile at $47,480 annually, or about $22.83 per hour. Experienced hands and those in higher-demand markets push into the 75th percentile at $62,180 per year, around $29.89 per hour.

That $14,700 spread between the 25th and 75th percentile isn't random. A few factors drive where you fall on that range. Specialization matters most. A glazier cutting and setting standard residential windows is doing different work than one installing curtain wall systems on a mid-rise office building or fitting structural glass on a commercial storefront. The more complex and precise the work, the more your labor is worth. Employers pay more for workers who can read shop drawings, set tolerances correctly, and work safely at height on large commercial glazing systems.

Employer type is another major factor. Small residential glass shops tend to pay toward the lower end of the range. Large commercial glazing contractors — the kind handling multi-story projects, storefronts, skylights, and curtain walls — generally pay more and offer steadier year-round work. If you're bouncing between one-off window replacement jobs, your annual earnings will look different than someone locked into a long commercial contract.

Geography within Michigan also shifts the numbers. The Detroit metro area, including communities along the I-94 and I-75 corridors, generates more commercial construction activity than most of the state. That means more glazing work, more contractors competing for experienced workers, and upward pressure on wages. Smaller markets in the Upper Peninsula or rural Lower Michigan will typically sit closer to or below the state median.

Certifications and skills add to your rate. Workers who are trained in specialty glazing systems — structural silicone, blast-resistant glass, fire-rated assemblies — are harder to replace. That leverage shows up in your hourly rate. OSHA 30 and fall protection competency also improve your standing with commercial contractors who can't afford safety violations on a job site.

No union scale data is available for glaziers in Michigan at this time. Workers covered under a collective bargaining agreement may see different wage floors and benefit structures than what BLS captures in its state-level survey data.

It's worth noting that the BLS OEWS figures here represent straight wages only. Benefits — health insurance, paid time out, retirement contributions — are not included. A position at $52,770 with strong benefits is worth more in real terms than one at $55,000 with nothing on top.

The numbers on this page come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025. They represent all Michigan glaziers surveyed, regardless of employer size, sector, or union status. Use the percentile range, not just the median, to benchmark your own situation honestly.