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Ceramic, earth and stone product manufacturing workers

How to become a Glassware Maker

Also called: Mirror silverer, Glass cutter, Glass engraver, Glass heat processing worker, Glass heat treatment worker, Glass polishing equipment operator, Glass forming equipment operator, Glass fibre equipment operator

Shapes glass tableware such as glasses and plates used in everyday life.

Workers in this job say high school is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualifications are needed to start. Most people learn skills and knowledge while working as an apprentice. Even where the process is automated this takes several years, and handmade glass is much more of a craft, so it takes even more years of experience to become fully skilled. People also join mid-career. You need to understand the properties of glass, and for handmade work especially, the characteristics of the tools. Where the work is automated, basic knowledge of machines is also important. Nimble hands and a good eye are needed to create the intended shape. Much of the work is done in teams, so cooperation is needed too. Handmade work involves gathering anything from a few hundred grams to several kilograms of glass, so physical strength is needed.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Glassware Maker?

No particular education or qualifications are needed to start. Most people learn skills and knowledge while working as an apprentice. Even where the process is automated this takes several years, and handmade glass is much more of a craft, so it takes even more years of experience to become fully skilled. People also join mid-career. You need to understand the properties of glass, and for handmade work especially, the characteristics of the tools. Where the work is automated, basic knowledge of machines is also important. Nimble hands and a good eye are needed to create the intended shape. Much of the work is done in teams, so cooperation is needed too. Handmade work involves gathering anything from a few hundred grams to several kilograms of glass, so physical strength is needed.

How much does a Glassware Maker earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥4,675,800 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Ceramic, earth and stone product manufacturing workers, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a Glassware Maker?

Usually not. In this job's census occupation group, only 15% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of a Glassware Maker?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026