Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
Machines can already do 14% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 49%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 14% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2036, and 49% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 20,310 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $47,630 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 76% for contact with people.
- Also called: Auto Glass Installer (Automotive Glass Installer), Auto Glass Tech (Automotive Glass Technician), Auto Glazier (Automotive Glazier), Flat Glass Installer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install replacement glass in vehicles | 17% | 20% to 60% | |
| Remove broken or damaged glass windshields or window glass from motor vehicles, using hand tools to remove screws from frames holding glass | 11% | 3% to 30% | |
| Apply a bead of urethane around the perimeter of each pinchweld and dress the remaining urethane on the pinchwelds so that it is of uniform level and thickness | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Install, repair, or replace safety glass and related materials, such as back glass heating elements, on vehicles or equipment | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Replace all moldings, clips, windshield wipers, or other parts that were removed prior to glass replacement or repair | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Remove moldings, clips, windshield wipers, screws, bolts, and inside A-pillar moldings and lower headliners in preparation for installation or repair work | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Remove all dirt, foreign matter, and loose glass from damaged areas, apply primer along windshield or window edges, and allow primer to dry | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Obtain windshields or windows for specific automobile makes and models from stock and examine them for defects prior to installation | 7% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills automotive glass installers and repairers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Segmental Pavers40% of tasks by 2035
- Fallers46% of tasks by 2035 · US median $52,100
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners46% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,960
- Upholsterers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,340
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2036. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of automotive glass installers and repairers?
Machines can do 14% of the tasks of automotive glass installers and repairers today and 49% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-3022.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/automotive-glass-installers-and-repairers/