SOC 5317 Skilled construction and building trades

Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters Salary

Median salary £28,623 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £29,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For glaziers, window fabricators and fitters, £29,436 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -25% versus the national average. Experienced glaziers, window fabricators and fitters (top 25%) earn over £35,304.

About this role

Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters join, cut, shape and fabricate metal components and structures using specialist equipment and techniques. They work from engineering drawings to produce components that meet precise specifications for strength, finish and dimensional accuracy.

Key responsibilities

Welding, cutting and fabricating metal components
Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications
Setting up and operating welding and fabrication equipment
Inspecting finished work for quality and dimensional accuracy
Following health and safety procedures for hot work and metalworking

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires an apprenticeship or NVQ Level 2/3. Coded welder certifications (BS EN ISO 9606) are essential for structural and pressure vessel work. CSCS or specialist site cards may be required.

Career outlook

Skills shortage in coded welding and specialist fabrication. Nuclear, offshore and infrastructure projects drive consistent demand.

Key skills

Welding techniques (MIG, TIG, MMA) Technical drawing interpretation Precision measurement Quality inspection Safety awareness

Common industries

Manufacturing
Construction
Oil and gas
Shipbuilding
Automotive

Data coverage

SOC code 5317

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 17,000

Median Salary

£28,623

Mean Salary

£30,060

Jobs (000s)

17k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £24,759Median: £28,623P75: £35,304

P10: --P25: £25kMedian: £29kP75: £35kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£24,759

0-2 years

Mid Level

£24,759

3-7 years

Senior

£35,304

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +43% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +35.1%Real growth: -2.1%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£28,623

Full-time Only

£29,436

Full-time premium: +£813

Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters salary: common questions

How much do glaziers, window fabricators and fitters earn in the UK?

Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters earn a median of £29,436 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £24,759 and £35,304.

Is £29,436 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for glaziers, window fabricators and fitters?

Entry-level glaziers, window fabricators and fitters typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £24,759, though this varies by employer and region.

Have glaziers, window fabricators and fitters salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median glaziers, window fabricators and fitters pay has risen from £21,222 to £29,436 — +39% in cash terms, or +1.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).