Glaziers

Employment in this field is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Oportunities are expected to be good because of growth in residential and nonresidential construction and the need to replace workers who leave the field. Glass will continue to be popular for its good looks and its practical advantages, and further improvements in glass and glass products are making glass more desirable as a construction material. A growing focus on energy management and the increasing trend towards the installation of safety glass in many government and commercial buildings—especially in the South—will also fuel demand for qualified glaziers.

Nonetheless, glaziers who work in construction should realize that there will be variations from time to time and place to place in the opportunities available to them. They should expect to go through periods of unemployment, and they must plan for these times. During economic downturns, construction activity is significantly reduced, and jobs for construction craftworkers, including glaziers, become scarce. Also, construction jobs are almost always of limited length, and workers may be unemployed between projects. On the other hand, when the level of construction activity is high in a region, there may be more jobs available than there are skilled workers to fill them. In general, jobs will be most abundant in and around cities, where most glass shops and glazing contractors are located.

The introduction of new construction methods and materials can also negatively impact job opportunities for glaziers. The DOL reports that "the availability of prefabricated windows that carpenters and general contractors can install is expected to moderate employment growth of glaziers."