Make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.
Upholsterers
SOC: 51-6093 O*NET: 51-6093.00
Median Salary
$46,190
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.
What does a Upholsterers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,190
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,200
25th percentile
Median
$46,190
50th percentile
Experienced
$51,740
75th percentile
Top Earners
$63,600
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,190
25th
$37,200
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,190
Mean: $46,960
75th
$51,740
90th
$63,600
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $31,410 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,200 and $51,740
- •Salary spread is 31.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 20,990 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:22,700
Top Industries
Manufacturing57.9%
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing45.1%
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only)43.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-1.8%
Annual Openings:2,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)22,700
Current
2034 (Projected)22,300
-1.8%
-400
Employment Change
-1.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Upholsterers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 43 locations
North Carolina
3,860 jobs$50,1405.78x
Mississippi
2,480 jobs$46,90015.68x
California
1,880 jobs$47,8400.76x
Florida
1,370 jobs$42,5401.02x
Indiana
1,370 jobs$40,0403.15x
Georgia
900 jobs$49,1201.37x
Texas
730 jobs$36,6200.39x
Michigan
690 jobs$43,1201.15x
Ohio
660 jobs$40,4000.88x
New York
530 jobs$49,0200.41x
Tennessee
420 jobs$40,3800.94x
Illinois
410 jobs$42,2900.50x
Pennsylvania
410 jobs$39,1500.50x
Washington
400 jobs$51,6100.82x
Colorado
380 jobs$55,9900.96x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Production and Processing
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
100%
#3
Finger Dexterity
100%
#4
Reading Comprehension
92%
#5
Manual Dexterity
92%
#6
Monitoring
86%
#7
Arm-Hand Steadiness
82%
#8
Speaking
78%
#9
Near Vision
74%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
70%
Skills Overview
Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Finger Dexterity
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Manual Dexterity
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediate4.1
82%
Speaking
intermediate3.9
78%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Production and Processing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Finger Dexterity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Manual Dexterity
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Near Vision
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Control Precision
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Air Traffic Controllers90%
5 shared skills
Dental Laboratory Technicians90%
5 shared skills
Desktop Publishers90%
5 shared skills
Electrical and Electronics Drafters90%
5 shared skills
Family Medicine Physicians90%
5 shared skills
Film and Video Editors90%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Control Precision
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Finger Dexterity
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Finger Dexterity
- ★Manual Dexterity
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Upholsterers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Planning & Development (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staples.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded surfaces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Examine furniture frames, upholstery, springs, and webbing to locate defects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Attach fasteners, grommets, buttons, buckles, ornamental trim, and other accessories to covers or frames, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Remove covering, webbing, padding, or defective springs from workpieces, using hand tools such as hammers and tack pullers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Read work orders, and apply knowledge and experience with materials to determine types and amounts of materials required to cover workpieces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Draw cutting lines on material following patterns, templates, sketches, or blueprints, using chalk, pencils, paint, or other methods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Make, restore, or create custom upholstered furniture, using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Measure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, following sketches and design specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Maintain records of time required to perform each job.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Upholsterers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Upholsterers professionals typically have a RAC Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
AArtistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Upholsterers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.25
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.96
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.83
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.76
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.67
Social Orientation
ImportantSocial Orientation
Importance Level3.54
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.0
Integrity
3.8
Cooperation
3.8
Initiative
3.7
Social Orientation
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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