Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (occupation group), with detailed role definition from O*NET, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers salary by state
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Base salary
$49,000
National baseline
Target bonus
$4,000
8.4% of base
Total target cash
$53,000
Base plus target bonus
Bonus percentiles:25th$2,50050th$4,00075th$6,500
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
About this role
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers is a professional role within the function in the Production job family.
Typical entry preparation: High School Diploma and up to 1 year of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
What Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finisherss do
Typical education: High School Diploma
Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
Place glass into dies or molds of presses and control presses to form products, such as glassware components or optical blanks.
Spray or swab molds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass.
Top skills:Quality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringReading ComprehensionCritical Thinking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers pay by experience level
Entry level$37,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$40,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$48,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$55,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$63,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+6.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
5,500
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers salary by industry
Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
22,100 workers
$49,000
Specialty Trade Contractors
3,080 workers
$53,500
Building Finishing Contractors
2,560 workers
$54,500
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
1,860 workers
$46,500
Miscellaneous Manufacturing
1,620 workers
$47,500
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
1,360 workers
$46,500
Administrative and Support Services
1,000 workers
$37,000
Employment Services
1,000 workers
$37,000
Plastics Product Manufacturing
980 workers
$42,500
Rubber Product Manufacturing
880 workers
$50,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
Place glass into dies or molds of presses and control presses to form products, such as glassware components or optical blanks.
Spray or swab molds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Non-exempt · Service, trades, or production work
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay under FLSA rules. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers pays 13% below the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
Need Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
