What Does it Take to Be a Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher?
Occupation Description Shape molten glass according to patterns.
A Day in the Life of a Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher
- Operate and maintain finishing machines to grind, drill, sand, bevel, decorate, wash, or polish glass or glass products.
- Operate electric kilns that heat and mold glass sheets to the shape and curve of metal jigs.
- Cut lengths of tubing to specified sizes, using files or cutting wheels.
- Design and create glass objects, using blowpipes and artisans’ hand tools and equipment.
- Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
- Develop sketches of glass products into blueprint specifications, applying knowledge of glass technology and glass blowing.
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Qualities of a Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Types of Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher
- Glass Block Bender
- Glass Block Installer
- Neon Glass Bender
- Glass Worker
- Bender
Are There Job Opportunities for Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers?
There were about 43,000 jobs for Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher. There will be an estimated 4,200 positions for Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher per year.

The states with the most job growth for Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher are Utah, Nevada, and Alabama. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Ohio, or Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers Make A Lot Of Money?
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers make between $22,910 and $51,010 a year.

Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers who work in Vermont, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $32,960 |
Arizona | $32,620 |
Arkansas | $31,330 |
California | $36,050 |
Colorado | $37,090 |
Connecticut | $36,480 |
Delaware | $34,770 |
Florida | $29,470 |
Georgia | $31,480 |
Hawaii | $39,800 |
Idaho | $37,530 |
Illinois | $39,230 |
Indiana | $35,150 |
Iowa | $36,770 |
Kansas | $37,780 |
Kentucky | $34,470 |
Louisiana | $29,950 |
Maine | $34,520 |
Maryland | $36,490 |
Massachusetts | $35,310 |
Michigan | $32,780 |
Minnesota | $37,510 |
Mississippi | $33,130 |
Missouri | $33,680 |
Montana | $36,710 |
Nebraska | $55,090 |
Nevada | $32,840 |
New Hampshire | $35,040 |
New Jersey | $45,180 |
New Mexico | $37,500 |
New York | $37,080 |
North Carolina | $34,850 |
North Dakota | $35,520 |
Ohio | $34,710 |
Oklahoma | $33,880 |
Oregon | $35,980 |
Pennsylvania | $34,240 |
Rhode Island | $42,220 |
South Carolina | $40,650 |
Tennessee | $32,370 |
Texas | $33,520 |
Utah | $36,120 |
Vermont | $46,110 |
Virginia | $35,050 |
Washington | $40,030 |
West Virginia | $40,370 |
Wisconsin | $34,000 |
What Tools & Technology do Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Billing software
- Inventory control software
Becoming a Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher
What kind of Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those who work as a Glass Blower, Molder, Bender, or Finisher sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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