Similar careers
Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.
A Glass Blower is an artisan skilled in the craft of shaping molten glass into various decorative and functional items by blowing air into it through a tube. This craft combines artistic expression with physical skill and precision.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Years in related career: None
On-the-job training: Long-term
Projected Growth: 2.4% (average)
Annual job openings: 5,500
Direct AI exposure: 0% of tasks
Potential AI exposure: 23% of tasks
| According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average income (in USD) in 2025 was $46K per year. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% | Bottom 25% | Median (average) | Top 25% | Top 10% |
| $36K per year | $39K per year | $46K per year | $53K per year | $62K per year |
| Compared to other careers: Median is $4.81K below the national average. | ||||
Glass Blowers typically work in studios or workshops equipped with furnaces to melt glass, blowing pipes, and various tools for shaping glass. The environment can be hot due to the furnaces and requires careful handling of fragile materials and hot equipment.
Glass blowing is an ancient craft that combines creativity with technical skill. The process begins with melting glass in a furnace until it reaches a molten state. The glass blower gathers a portion of this glass on the end of a blowing pipe and starts shaping it, either by blowing air into the pipe to create a bubble or by using tools to mold the glass. This requires a high degree of hand-eye coordination, a steady hand, and an understanding of how glass behaves under different temperatures.
The glass blower must have a clear artistic vision, often sketching designs beforehand or working spontaneously to create unique pieces. Color and texture are added using various techniques, such as adding metal oxides or rolling the molten glass in crushed glass or other materials. After the initial shaping, the glass is often reheated and reworked several times to achieve the desired form.
Once the piece is formed, it must be cooled slowly in a process called annealing to prevent cracking. Glass blowers also handle finishing tasks, including grinding and polishing, to complete their creations. The work requires patience and attention to detail, as each step in the process is crucial to the quality of the final product.
Formal education requirements vary, but many glass blowers have at least a high school diploma. Post-secondary education in fine arts or specialized training in glass blowing can be beneficial but is not mandatory.
Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.
