Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers

Shape molten glass according to patterns.

Also called: Bender, Gaffer, Glass Artist, Glass Bender, Glass Block Bender, Glass Lathe Operator, Glass Worker, Glassblower, Neon Glass Bender, Neon Pumper, Blow Molder, Blower, Bottle Blower, Glass Finisher, Glass Molder, Glassblower Technician (Glass Blower Tech), Glassware Finisher, Laboratory Apparatus Glass Blower, Lathe Blower, Lathe Operator, Molder, Scientific Blower, Technical Blower, Tube Bender

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.
Blow tubing into specified shapes to prevent glass from collapsing, using compressed air or own breath, or blow and rotate gathers in molds or on boards to obtain final shapes.
Cut lengths of tubing to specified sizes, using files or cutting wheels.
Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
Develop sketches of glass products into blueprint specifications, applying knowledge of glass technology and glass blowing.
Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
Determine types and quantities of glass required to fabricate products.
Design and create glass objects, using blowpipes and artisans' hand tools and equipment.
Operate and maintain finishing machines to grind, drill, sand, bevel, decorate, wash, or polish glass or glass products.

Skills, machines and equipment

Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Social Perceptiveness

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (27.27% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

39,280–53,000 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-9195.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (27.27% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers