Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers Salary

The median automotive glass installers and repairers salary in the United States is $47,630 per year ($22.90/hour). Salaries range from $35,390 at the entry level to $70,650+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 20,310 automotive glass installers and repairers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3.6% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Salary
$47,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.90
per hour
Employment
20,310
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$35,390
25th percentile
$40,110
Median
$47,630
75th percentile
$59,550
90th percentile
$70,650

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+3.6%
As fast as average

Annual Openings

1,400
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for automotive glass installers and repairerss.

Auto glass technicians repair rock chips, replace windshields and side glass, and β€” increasingly β€” calibrate ADAS cameras mounted to the windshield after replacement. Entry $38-52k; established $52-72k; senior technician on ADAS-heavy jobs $65-95k; shop foreman or mobile-fleet supervisor $85-115k+. High school diploma is baseline; hands-on training and AGSC certification are the credentials that matter.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Windshield removal and installation
Cold-knife or fiber-line removal without damaging pinch weld, urethane bead application, and safe drive-away time compliance. AGRSS-compliant installation is the industry standard.
Rock chip and crack repair
Resin injection on chips smaller than a quarter and cracks under 6 inches. Proper cure time and finishing prevents customer complaints.
ADAS camera calibration
Static or dynamic calibration of forward-facing cameras after windshield replacement. Skipping calibration on ADAS-equipped vehicles is now a legal liability issue in most jurisdictions.
Molding, clip, and trim replacement
Reinstalling cowl, A-pillar covers, rain sensor, and rear-view mirror without damage. OEM clips are often single-use.
Side and back glass replacement
Tempered side glass, encapsulated back glass, and regulator R&I on power windows. Different technique from windshield work.
Mobile service workflow
Most auto glass work is mobile β€” customer's driveway or workplace. Weather awareness, cleanliness, and customer communication all matter.
Insurance and billing
Zero-deductible glass claims through insurance networks (Safelite, Lynx, Gerber). Understanding NAGS pricing and claim procedures is a technician skill.

How to Become a Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

  1. 1
    Complete high school diploma
    Standard baseline. No specific coursework required.
  2. 2
    Start as an apprentice or helper at a glass shop
    $14-20/hr. Learn cutting, urethane application, and mobile service workflow under a senior technician. 6-18 months to journey level.
  3. 3
    Complete AGSC or manufacturer training
    Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) Certified Technician credential. Manufacturer training from Pilkington, Safelite, or Sika. AGRSS-compliant training required for insurance panels.
  4. 4
    Add ADAS calibration certification
    Increasingly required β€” most windshield jobs on 2018+ vehicles need calibration. Certified technicians earn premium.
  5. 5
    Advance to Sr Technician, Foreman, or Mobile Fleet Supervisor
    $65-115k. Senior technicians work OEM-specific and luxury jobs; foremen manage mobile fleets and warranty claims.

Career Progression

Apprentice / Helper
0-1 yrs$28-42k ($14-20/hr)
  • β€’Prep vehicles for install (protect interior, remove wipers/cowl)
  • β€’Assist with removal and cleanup
  • β€’Learn urethane application and cure protocol
  • β€’Build tool inventory ($500-1,500)
Next: Glass Technician at 6-12 months.
Glass Technician
1-5 yrs$45-65k ($22-32/hr)
  • β€’Complete 4-8 windshield replacements/day (mobile) or 8-14 (shop)
  • β€’Rock chip and small crack repairs
  • β€’Interior R&I and pinch-weld prep
  • β€’Customer interaction and vehicle handoff
Next: Sr Technician / ADAS Calibration at 3-7 years.
Sr Technician / ADAS Calibration Tech
4-10 yrs$62-92k
  • β€’Complex jobs (panoramic, laminated side, HUD windshields)
  • β€’ADAS calibration on OEM-specific vehicles
  • β€’Warranty and comeback resolution
  • β€’Mentor apprentices and journeymen
Next: Foreman or Fleet Supervisor at 8-15 years.
Shop Foreman / Mobile Fleet Supervisor
8+ yrs$85-125k+
  • β€’Manage team of 5-15 technicians
  • β€’Own scheduling, dispatch, and productivity
  • β€’Handle warranty and CSAT escalations
  • β€’Represent shop to insurance networks and DRP
Next: Regional manager or shop owner.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through a windshield replacement on a 2023 Toyota RAV4.technical
Protect interior with covers. Remove wipers, cowl panel, A-pillar trim, and rain sensor. Cold-knife or fiber-line the old urethane. Clean pinch weld to bare paint where needed and prime any exposed metal. Prime new glass with activator. Apply urethane bead per manufacturer spec. Set glass, check even fit. Reinstall clips, trim, and rain sensor. Follow safe-drive-away time (typically 1 hour). ADAS calibration required β€” static in shop or dynamic with drive cycle depending on Toyota's spec.
Q2. How do you handle a customer whose insurance won't cover the ADAS calibration?situational
Explain what calibration does (lane-keep, adaptive cruise, automatic braking) and the safety risk of skipping. Offer the calibration as a separate charge. If they still decline, get a signed waiver documenting the recommendation and refusal. Never install a windshield on an ADAS-equipped car without either calibrating or documenting refusal β€” liability exposure is real.
Q3. Describe a difficult install.behavioral
STAR. Situation: 2022 Tesla Model 3 with a heads-up display and a windshield-mounted camera bracket that broke on removal. Task: complete the install without waiting for parts. Action: sourced the bracket from Tesla parts overnight, temporarily reinstalled the customer's original windshield with tape, and rescheduled. Result: install completed properly next day with calibration; customer appreciated the honesty over a hasty install.
Q4. Why auto glass?culture
Steady demand β€” rocks hit windshields every day, and ADAS calibration is turning what used to be a low-skill install into a technical trade. Good day rates, mostly outdoors, and mobile work means variety. Not sitting at a desk.
Q5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?closer
Sr Technician with ADAS calibration certification on major OEMs, running the most complex jobs at the shop. Long term I'd consider mobile fleet supervisor or shop foreman work.

Resume Template β€” Glass Technician (1-5 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Glass Technician (1-5 yrs)
  • β–ΈCompleted 1,240 windshield replacements FY24 with 0.6% comeback rate.
  • β–ΈAGSC Certified Auto Glass Technician + ADAS calibration training (Bosch and OEM tools).
  • β–ΈMobile service across [metro] with 4.9/5 CSAT on 620 service calls.
  • β–ΈFluent on Ford, GM, Toyota, and Tesla windshield-mounted ADAS calibration procedures.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Skips urethane cure time or delivers cars before safe-drive-away β€” a lawsuit waiting to happen.
  • βœ—Doesn't calibrate ADAS or document customer refusal β€” huge liability gap.
  • βœ—Poor pinch-weld prep β€” rust and leaks 6-12 months later are traceable to sloppy install.
  • βœ—Rough on interior trim and paint β€” customer complaints kill shop reputation.
  • βœ—Poor mobile service etiquette β€” dirty jobsite, no cleanup, chatting on phone.
  • βœ—Weak on OEM-specific procedures β€” 2020+ vehicles have real complexity.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“AGSC Certified Auto Glass Technician β€” required for many insurance panels.
  • βœ“ADAS calibration certification (Bosch, Autel, OEM-specific) β€” direct pay premium.
  • βœ“OEM-specific training (Tesla, Lucid, Rivian) β€” premium on complex jobs.
  • βœ“Mobile service capability with own vehicle β€” hourly bonus at some shops.
  • βœ“Bilingual (Spanish) β€” direct customer-service premium in most metros.
  • βœ“Metro market premium: California, Texas, Florida pay 15-25% above secondary markets.

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Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$36K
$64Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

Connecticut
$64K
+34%
New Jersey
$61K
+28%
North Carolina
$61K
+27%
Washington
$61K
+27%
Massachusetts
$58K
+23%
Oregon
$57K
+20%
North Dakota
$56K
+18%
Alaska
$52K
+10%
New Hampshire
$52K
+9%
New York
$50K
+5%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
Connecticut$63,880+34.1%
New Jersey$61,040+28.2%
North Carolina$60,710+27.5%
Washington$60,630+27.3%
Massachusetts$58,490+22.8%
Oregon$57,270+20.2%
North Dakota$56,280+18.2%
Alaska$52,260+9.7%
New Hampshire$52,000+9.2%
New York$50,240+5.5%
1–10 of 45

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$65,190+36.9%
Fayetteville, NC$62,500+31.2%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$62,490+31.2%
Columbus, OH$61,900+30.0%
Kennewick-Richland, WA$60,530+27.1%
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$60,160+26.3%
Bellingham, WA$60,030+26.0%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC$59,810+25.6%
Yakima, WA$58,850+23.6%
Wilmington, NC$57,520+20.8%
1–10 of 61
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A automotive glass installers and repairers earning $47,630/year would need 1251 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1344 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
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πŸ“ˆ See how automotive glass installers and repairers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers salary trend (2011–2024) β†’