How to become a glass forming and finishing machine operator or glass cutter
Official title: Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters
Also called: Glass edger, Glass mixer, Glass bender, Glass buffer, Glass cutter, Glass etcher, Glass heater, Glass marker, Glass melter, Glass breaker, Glass chipper, Glass grinder
Glass forming and finishing machine operators operate multi-function process control machinery or single-function machines to melt, form, cut or finish flat glass, glassware, bottles, and other glass products. Glass cutters cut flat glass of various thicknesses to specified sizes and shapes by hand. They are employed by glass and glass products manufacturing companies.
Main tasks
- Glass process control operators
- Operate multi-function process control machinery through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems to mix and melt raw materials; heat, anneal, temper or form float glass or glass products; and coat glass with silver or other metals and materials
- Observe gauges, computer printouts and video monitors to verify specified processing conditions and make adjustments as necessary
- Maintain shift log of production and other data
- May operate process control machinery to cut glass or assemble glass window units
- May clean and maintain process machinery
- May ensure adequate levels of oil, soap, talc or other materials used in machine production of glass
- Glass forming machine operators
How to become one
Completion of secondary school may be required. Experience as a machine operator helper in glass manufacturing is usually required for machine operators in this unit group. Experience as a glass cutter helper is usually required for manual glass cutters.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $44,343 a year The middle half earn $39,000 to $52,104.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a glass forming and finishing machine operator or glass cutter?
Completion of secondary school may be required. Experience as a machine operator helper in glass manufacturing is usually required for machine operators in this unit group. Experience as a glass cutter helper is usually required for manual glass cutters.
How much does a glass forming and finishing machine operator or glass cutter earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $44,343 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $39,000 to $52,104.
Do you need a degree to become a glass forming and finishing machine operator or glass cutter?
Usually not. Only 6% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03