- Canada: Job Bank lists a national median of $20.00/hour for "automotive window tint installer" (NOC 74203), with a range of $16.55 to $30.00 (reference period 2023–2024).
- USA: O*NET, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, lists a 2025 median of $22.90/hour ($47,630/year) for automotive glass installers and repairers (49-3022), an occupation whose reported job titles include window film installer.
- These figures cover employees. Business owners' income depends on pricing, volume and costs, and is not captured by these surveys.
Before you invest in training, it is fair to ask what the work pays. A lot of numbers float around online, many with no source. This article sticks to public government data, explains what it covers and what it leaves out, and looks at the factors that change what a tinter earns.
Window tinter wages in Canada
Canada's Job Bank publishes wage data for the job title automotive window tint installer. It sits in the occupation group NOC 74203, automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers. The figures were updated on November 19, 2025 and use a 2023–2024 reference period from Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey (Quebec figures come from Employment Insurance survey data).
| Area | Low ($/hr) | Median ($/hr) | High ($/hr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 16.55 | 20.00 | 30.00 |
| Alberta | 17.00 | 21.00 | 40.87 |
| British Columbia | 18.25 | 21.00 | 36.00 |
| Ontario | 17.95 | 19.50 | 27.00 |
| Quebec | 17.00 | 21.43 | 27.25 |
| Manitoba | 16.40 | 20.00 | 28.00 |
| Nova Scotia | 17.00 | 17.00 | 25.64 |
Source: Government of Canada Job Bank, automotive window tint installer wages. Figures are in Canadian dollars.
One limitation: the NOC group also includes other parts installers and servicers, so it is not a pure measure of tint work.
Window tinter wages in the USA
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate category for window tinters. The closest match is automotive glass installers and repairers (SOC 49-3022). O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupation database, lists "window film installer" among the job titles reported for this occupation.
O*NET shows a 2025 national median of $22.90 per hour, or $47,630 per year, based on BLS wage data. It also lists the projected growth for 2025–2035 as faster than average. You can look up state and local wages on the O*NET occupation page or the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
Again, this category includes windshield installers and repair technicians, so it is an approximation for tint work.
What these numbers do not tell you
Government wage surveys measure employees. Many tinters are self-employed, run a mobile business or own a shop, and their income is not captured in the same way. For owners, income depends on:
- Pricing. What you charge per vehicle and per film type in your market.
- Volume. How many vehicles you complete each week, which depends on speed, quality and marketing.
- Costs. Film, tools, rent, insurance, advertising and re-dos.
- Services offered. Many tinters add flat glass, PPF or detailing to raise the value of each customer.
- Season and climate. Demand can be higher in hot, sunny months and markets.
We do not publish income promises. Your result depends on your skill, your market and how you run your business.
Factors that raise a tinter's earning potential
Speed with quality
The faster you can complete a clean install, the more vehicles you can finish in a day. Speed comes from repetition and a consistent method. See our step-by-step path for new tinters for a practice routine.
Reputation and reviews
Tint is a referral business. Clean work, clear communication and honest advice about legal limits lead to reviews and repeat customers.
Dealer and fleet relationships
Dealerships and businesses can provide steady volume. They usually expect proof of training, which is one reason certification helps.
Added services
Adding paint protection film lets you sell more to customers who already trust you. Some installers add paintless dent repair as a separate service.
Getting started
If the numbers make sense for you, the next step is solid training. Our 2-day window tint course includes a section on pricing, quoting and booking customers, along with hands-on work on every type of window.
How to read wage ranges
Each table shows a low, median and high figure. The median is the middle point: half of workers in the group earn more and half earn less. The low and high figures show the spread, which usually reflects experience, location, the type of employer and how much responsibility a worker has. New installers often start nearer the low end and move up as their speed and quality improve.
Wage data also lags behind the present. The Canadian figures use a 2023–2024 reference period, and US data is collected through surveys before it is published. Use these numbers as a guide, not a prediction for your own situation.
Employee, contractor or owner?
How you work changes how you are paid:
- Employees usually earn an hourly wage or salary, sometimes with commission or bonuses. The shop covers film, tools and marketing.
- Contractors may be paid per vehicle or per job by a shop or dealer. Income depends on how much work is available and how fast you are.
- Owners set their own prices and keep the profit after costs, but carry the risk and do the marketing, booking and admin themselves.
Questions to research in your own market
- What do local shops charge for a full vehicle with standard and ceramic film?
- How many tint shops and mobile tinters already serve your area?
- Are local dealerships looking for tint installers?
- How busy is the season where you live, and what do tinters do in the slower months?
Answering these gives you a far clearer picture of what tint could pay for you than any national average.
Build a skill that pays
Learn hands-on in 2 days, then keep improving with mentor support.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a window tinter make in Canada?
Job Bank lists a national median of $20.00 per hour for automotive window tint installers (NOC 74203), with a range of $16.55 to $30.00, for the 2023–2024 reference period.
How much does a window tinter make in the USA?
There is no separate BLS category for tinters. O*NET lists a 2025 median of $22.90 per hour ($47,630 per year) for automotive glass installers and repairers, which includes window film installers.
Do self-employed tinters earn more?
It depends on pricing, volume and costs. Government wage surveys mostly measure employees, so they do not show what business owners earn.
Does Tint Academy teach pricing?
Yes. The 2-day window tint course covers pricing, quoting and booking customers.