Occupation · SOC 51-6093
Upholsterers
Make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.
Median wage
$46,190
$32,190–$63,600
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
20,990
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
16 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementActive ListeningSpeaking
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingDesign
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareAccounting softwareProcess mapping and design softwareSpreadsheet software
Representative tasks
Fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staplesMeasure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, followBuild furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and staple guns — identify and use under direct supervision to fit and secure basic covering materials on furniture frames in a production shop.Measuring tape and cutting instruments — follow marked patterns to measure and cut covering fabrics under close technician guidance in a training environment.Loose fiber stuffing and foam padding — apply to furniture frames under supervisor direction to begin building rounded, even surface profiles.Work orders and material lists — read and interpret with assistance to determine fabric type and approximate quantity needed for a standard upholstery job.Furniture frames and webbing — visually inspect under direction to recognize obvious defects such as broken springs or torn webbing in a shop setting.Needles and thread — practice basic hand-sewing techniques to close simple rips or tears in upholstery material under instructor supervision.Covering materials and adhesives — apply glue or cement to secure fabric edges to frames following step-by-step instructions in a vocational training shop.Cotton batting and felt padding — layer and smooth onto seat cushions under guidance to achieve consistent thickness across entry-level furniture pieces.Design sketches and cutting patterns — use with assistance to align fabric grain and match basic repeat patterns before cutting in a supervised workshop.Spring and webbing replacements — assist a senior upholsterer in adjusting and securing springs in place on standard furniture frames during on-the-job training.
developing
Fabric covering materials and power staplers — independently fit, stretch, and secure coverings on standard furniture frames with minimal oversight in a production upholstery shop.Measuring and cutting instruments — accurately measure and cut new covering materials from design specifications and patterns with routine efficiency on a daily production schedule.Foam, cotton, and loose fiber stuffing — select appropriate padding combinations and build up furniture surfaces to achieve smooth, consistent contours on repeat job types.Work orders and material specifications — read and apply independently to calculate fabric yardage and supply requirements before beginning familiar upholstery projects.Furniture frames, springs, and webbing — examine systematically to diagnose common defects and determine appropriate repair methods without supervisor prompting.Webbing, padding, and spring systems — adjust or replace components and secure them correctly on standard residential and commercial furniture in a shop environment.Hand-sewing needles and thread — execute tufting patterns and repair moderate tears with consistent stitch quality on upholstery projects of moderate complexity.CAD or design software — navigate basic functions to review design layouts and confirm material placement requirements before cutting fabric on custom orders.Adhesives, cement, and staples — select and apply the correct fastening method for each material type and substrate encountered in everyday furniture upholstery tasks.Time management techniques — prioritize and sequence daily upholstery tasks to meet production deadlines across multiple furniture pieces simultaneously in a busy shop.
proficient
Custom upholstery projects — independently plan, execute, and finish complex furniture pieces using advanced hand tool skills and comprehensive knowledge of fabrics and construction methods.Non-standard fabric patterns and specialty materials — measure, cut, and align with precision to meet custom design specifications on high-end or restoration furniture without supervision.Multi-layer padding systems — select and build up foam, cotton, and fiber combinations autonomously to match original or specified contour profiles on antique and custom furniture.Complex work orders and design drawings — interpret fully and apply critical thinking to resolve material ambiguities and adapt plans to non-routine or unfamiliar workpieces.Structural defects in frames and suspension systems — diagnose root causes through thorough inspection and develop appropriate repair strategies for unusual or severe damage.Spring, webbing, and padding replacements — execute complete suspension overhauls on a wide variety of furniture styles, including antique and automotive pieces, without assistance.Tufting, channeling, and decorative sewing — produce consistent, high-quality hand and machine stitching on custom patterns across a broad range of upholstery applications.ERP or production tracking software — enter and monitor job data accurately to support shop workflow visibility and material inventory control across active upholstery orders.Problem sensitivity and judgment — anticipate material compatibility issues or structural weaknesses before they affect finished quality, adjusting methods proactively on complex jobs.Mentorship of newer workers — demonstrate correct technique and explain decision-making rationale to apprentice-level upholsterers during live production tasks in a shop setting.
advanced
Shop-wide upholstery standards and workflows — establish and enforce quality benchmarks, tool protocols, and material specifications across all production staff in a furniture manufacturing or restoration business.Custom and restoration project portfolios — lead design consultation with clients and translate complex requirements into detailed work orders and cutting patterns for the full production team.Training curricula for upholstery skills — develop and deliver structured on-the-job instruction covering fabric selection, padding techniques, and frame repair for emerging and developing staff.Material procurement and vendor relationships — evaluate fabric, foam, and hardware suppliers against quality and cost criteria to make purchasing decisions that support shop profitability.Complex defect and failure analysis — diagnose systemic quality problems across multiple finished pieces and implement corrective process changes that reduce rework shop-wide.Production scheduling and capacity planning — manage workflow assignments, tool availability, and deadline commitments across a team of upholsterers handling diverse concurrent projects.CAD and process mapping tools — leverage design and planning software to optimize cutting layouts, reduce material waste, and document best-practice methods for organizational use.Business performance metrics — interpret spreadsheet and ERP reports on labor hours, material costs, and job completion rates to guide operational decisions and continuous improvement.Industry standards and safety regulations — ensure shop compliance with relevant workplace safety, material handling, and product quality standards, updating practices as regulations evolve.Organizational reputation and business development — represent the upholstery operation to commercial clients, trade partners, and industry groups, building relationships that drive sustained growth.
Also known as
49 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
StaplerDining Chair Seat Cushion TrimmerChair Pad MakerFurniture Upholstery MechanicUpholstery SewerSlipcover CutterFurniture-Upholsterer ApprenticeBox Spring UpholstererSlip Cover CutterUpholstery RepairerTop InstallerInside UpholstererSeat Covers TrimmerUpholstery TrimmerUpholstery TechnicianBody Trimmer UpholstererAutomobile-Upholsterer ApprenticeAutomobile UpholstererUpholstery CutterSeat Cover CutterVinyl Top InstallerUpholstery Auto TrimmerFurniture UpholstererFurniture Upholsterer ApprenticeCasket TrimmerUpholstery MechanicTrimmerUpholstered Goods CrafterUpholstererSeat Cover InstallerConvertible Top InstallerCasket CovererAircraft Seat UpholstererGimp TackerChair UpholstererSeating UpholstererCar Seat CovererLimousine and Hearse UpholstererUpholsterer, Limousine and HearseSofa Back Upholsterer