Salary
Average Salary: $29,790
Expected Lifetime Earnings: $1,243,673
Becoming a glass blower is certainly a unique career choice with plenty of opportunity. You occupy a prestigious artisanal position, and are paid handsomely by your wealthy benefactors for your effort. After all, it's the 16th century and glass isn't cheap these days.
Sorry, what's that? It's not the 16th century?
In that case, we're afraid we have some discouraging news. Your profession occupies a fairly marginal position in society, that of the fine artist. There's a small demand for interesting glass pieces, but by and large glassblowing isn't making many people rich these days.
The average glassblowers only make around $30,000 a year, with little room for improvement on that and a high likelihood of falling below that mark (source). Professional artists, who are often just freelancers, tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum. The best of the best may be able to afford their own glassworks, but those who can't will have to lease time at a studio (source).
Professionals in the glass manufacturing industry tend to make a little more, and even if they don't, they have a steady income to rely on. There's also the health care and benefits like retirement to sweeten the pot. If you're really just in it to make money while making glass, then this is the way to go.
In either case, we'd recommend all the networking and bridge-building you can manage. The best way to get more money is to have more people wanting to pay you for your work. If you need to practice talking to people, use a mirror; with all those glass connections you're making, we're sure you know where to find one.