Upholsterers

SOC code 51-6093 · O*NET-SOC 51-6093.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Upholsterers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$46,340

a year

Hourly

$22.28

per hour

10th$31,690Median$46,34090th$63,770

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$47,340

$22.76 per hour

Middle 50%

$37,340 – $54,580

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$31,690 – $63,770

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

20,140

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $31,690; $15.24/hr
25th percentile: $37,340; $17.95/hr
Median percentile: $46,340; $22.28/hr
75th percentile: $54,580; $26.24/hr
90th percentile: $63,770; $30.66/hr

What does an upholsterer do?

Make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staples.
Measure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, following sketches and design specifications.
Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded surfaces.
Make, restore, or create custom upholstered furniture, using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.
Read work orders, and apply knowledge and experience with materials to determine types and amounts of materials required to cover workpieces.
Draw cutting lines on material following patterns, templates, sketches, or blueprints, using chalk, pencils, paint, or other methods.
Stretch webbing and fabric, using webbing stretchers.
Operate sewing machines or sew upholstery by hand to seam cushions and join various sections of covering material.

How to become an upholsterer

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 56% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)56%
Less than a High School Diploma44%

Common questions

How much does an upholsterer earn?

The national median is $46,340 a year. The full range runs from $31,690 at the 10th percentile to $63,770 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an upholsterer without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Critical Thinking3.5/5
Reading Comprehension3.1/5
Active Listening3.0/5
Speaking3.0/5
Active Learning3.0/5
Monitoring3.0/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing3.1/5
Design3.0/5
Customer and Personal Service2.9/5
Mechanical2.8/5
Education and Training2.7/5
Mathematics2.6/5

Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness.