How much do glaziers make in Washington in 2026?

The median glazier salary in Washington state is $66,860 a year, which works out to $32.14 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That number sits in the middle of a wide range — entry-level and early-career glaziers closer to the 25th percentile earn around $59,260 ($28.49/hr), while experienced glaziers at the 75th percentile pull $106,840 ($51.37/hr). That $47,580 gap between the bottom and top quartiles tells you this trade rewards time, specialization, and the willingness to take on demanding work.

These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025. BLS collects employer-reported payroll data across thousands of businesses, so the numbers reflect actual wages paid — not self-reported estimates. One thing to keep in mind: BLS wage data captures base hourly earnings and does not include overtime pay, shift differentials, or fringe benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Your real take-home value is likely higher than the base figures suggest.

Washington is a strong state for glaziers. The construction market across the Puget Sound region — Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, and Everett — has sustained heavy commercial and high-rise development for years. Curtain wall systems, storefront glass, and structural glazing on large commercial buildings demand skilled glaziers, and that demand pushes wages above what you'd see in slower markets. Workers in the Seattle metro area tend to cluster toward the upper half of the wage range, while glaziers in eastern Washington cities like Spokane or the Tri-Cities generally see lower wages, though the cost of living is also lower there.

At the 25th percentile, $59,260 ($28.49/hr) typically reflects workers who are still building their skills — journeyman glaziers in their first few years, or those working primarily on residential and light commercial jobs like window replacement and shower enclosures. This is solid pay for a trade worker who is still learning the full scope of the job.

The median of $66,860 ($32.14/hr) is where a competent journeyman with a few years of consistent commercial experience tends to land. At this level, you're comfortable with standard storefront systems, aluminum framing, and basic curtain wall work. You're reliable enough that an employer keeps you busy year-round rather than calling you only for peak seasons.

The 75th percentile at $106,840 ($51.37/hr) belongs to glaziers who have mastered high-end work — structural silicone glazing, unitized curtain wall installation, sloped glazing, or specialty architectural glass on complex projects. Foreman roles, lead positions on major commercial projects, and glaziers who move into estimating or project management often reach this tier. Getting there usually takes a decade or more of deliberate, project-diverse experience.

Overtime is a real income factor in this trade. Glaziers on large commercial jobs frequently log 50- to 60-hour weeks during push periods — envelope closeouts before weather deadlines, retail buildouts with hard opening dates, or renovation projects that can only run nights and weekends. At Washington's standard time-and-a-half rules, a glazier earning the median $32.14/hr base rate earns $48.21/hr for every overtime hour. Ten overtime hours a week over a 30-week busy season adds roughly $14,460 to annual gross pay, pushing a median earner well past $80,000 for the year.

Washington does not require a state glazier license for most workers, but completing a registered apprenticeship program is the clearest path into the trade and typically the fastest route to journeyman wages. Apprenticeships generally run three to four years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction covering glass types, glazing compounds, sealant systems, and safety. Apprentice wages scale up over the program, starting below the 25th percentile and reaching journeyman scale upon completion.

Some glaziers in Washington may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement — check with your local for current rates.

To push your wages toward the 75th percentile, focus on gaining experience with commercial curtain wall and structural glazing, which pays more than residential or light commercial work. Certifications in specific glazing systems, safety credentials like OSHA 30, and the ability to read and interpret architectural drawings all make you more valuable to contractors bidding large projects. Workers who can also operate lifts, swing stages, and aerial work platforms expand the jobs they qualify for and reduce downtime on a crew.

Washington's wage floor is also a factor. The state minimum wage has risen steadily, and some municipalities in the Seattle area have higher local minimums, which tends to lift the floor for all construction trades — including glaziers — even at the entry level.