Across U.S. metros, concrete finishers typically earn $2,005 more a year than glaziers (4%). In the 154 metros where BLS publishes both, concrete finishers earn more in 91 and glaziers in 63.
| Concrete Finisher | Glazier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $57,245 | $55,240 |
| Lowest metro median | $27,610 | $33,280 |
| Highest metro median | $104,450 | $107,610 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +1.6% | +1.9% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 13,600 | 3,900 |
| Self-employed | 2% | 1% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Apprenticeship |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 25 | 121 |
| Metros with pay data | 334 | 161 |
On safety, glaziers report more injuries that cause missed work (121 vs. 25 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where concrete finishers out-earn glaziers the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where glaziers out-earn concrete finishers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, concrete finishers earn more in 33 states and glaziers in 17. The gap favors concrete finishers most in Alaska ($29,960) and glaziers most in Massachusetts ($36,970).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles: occasionally for concrete finishers, sometimes for glaziers. Indoors with heating and air conditioning: rarely for concrete finishers, sometimes for glaziers.
| Concrete Finisher | Glazier | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Very often | Very often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Very often | Often |
| Working at heights | Occasionally | Often |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Very often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Very often | Often |
| Sitting | Rarely | Rarely |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Concrete Finisher
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.
Glazier
Install glass in windows, skylights, store fronts, and display cases, or on surfaces, such as building fronts, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.
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