Across U.S. metros, glaziers typically earn $8,390 more a year than construction laborers (18%). In the 161 metros where BLS publishes both, construction laborers earn more in 20 and glaziers in 141.
| Construction Laborer | Glazier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $46,850 | $55,240 |
| Lowest metro median | $23,510 | $33,280 |
| Highest metro median | $83,680 | $107,610 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +7.3% | +1.9% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 120,000 | 3,900 |
| Self-employed | 27% | 1% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Short-term on-the-job training | Apprenticeship |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 218 | 121 |
| Metros with pay data | 391 | 161 |
On safety, construction laborers report more injuries that cause missed work (218 vs. 121 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 construction laborers out-earn glaziers the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where glaziers out-earn construction laborers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, construction laborers earn more in 3 states and glaziers in 47. The gap favors construction laborers most in Missouri ($5,300) and glaziers most in Massachusetts ($37,420).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles: occasionally for construction laborers, sometimes for glaziers. Working at heights: occasionally for construction laborers, often for glaziers.
| Construction Laborer | Glazier | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Very often | Very often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Occasionally | 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 | Often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Sometimes | Often |
| Sitting | Rarely | Rarely |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Construction Laborer
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
Glazier
Install glass in windows, skylights, store fronts, and display cases, or on surfaces, such as building fronts, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.
Compare one trade across two cities →
More comparisons
More trade comparisons
Still deciding? Compare construction laborer vs. septic & sewer technician, brickmason vs. glazier, concrete finisher vs. construction laborer, construction laborer vs. landscaper, construction laborer vs. painter, carpenter vs. glazier, glazier vs. roofer and construction laborer vs. rebar worker, or rank every trade with which trade fits me.