What Does a Furniture Finisher Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

Furniture Finisher

Also called: Wood Finisher · Furniture Refinisher · Finishing Technician · Furniture Restorer

What furniture finishers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated October 18, 2026By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team

What does a furniture finisher do?

Furniture finishers shape, finish and refinish damaged, worn or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish. The median pay is $44,540 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -3.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$44,540
$21.41/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-3.5%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
1,500
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
15,900
Employment, 2025

What furniture finishers do

Furniture finishers make wood beautiful. They prep surfaces, stain and tone, spray lacquer and other finishes, repair damage, match colors, and restore antiques and fine furniture.

A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects slight decline.

Typical duties

Sand surfaces
Strip old finishes
Stain and tone
Spray finishes
Repair damage
Match colors
Restore antiques

Work environment and schedule

Finishers work in shops, factories and spray booths.

Schedule: Full-time daytime hours.

A day in the life

7:00 AMCheck finish samples.
7:30 AMSand cabinet doors.
9:00 AMSpray stain.
11:00 AMApply sealer.

See a full day in the life of a furniture finisher →

Furniture Finisher salary

Half of furniture finishers earned more than $44,540 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $32,160 for the lowest 10% to $61,020 for the top 10%.

$32,16010th$44,540Median$61,02090th

Full furniture finisher pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a furniture finisher

Finish high school
Get hired at a shop
Learn prep and spraying
Learn color matching
Specialize

A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a furniture finisher →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Surface prep
Staining
Spray finishing
Color matching
Touch-up

People skills

Patience
Color eye
Attention to detail
Craftsmanship

All furniture finisher skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Craft skill
Restoration niche
Visible results
Can be self-employed

Cons

Fumes
Slight decline
Dust
PPE all day

Certifications and licenses

Finishing course: Trade school.
Respirator fit test: Required.
Spray booth safety: Employer.
Restoration training: Helpful.

Career path

Helper: Entry.
Finisher: Finish.
Lead Finisher: Color matching.
Restoration Specialist: High-end work.

Learn the job before day one

Our Furniture Finisher training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as match a wood finish color and spray a smooth lacquer finish, safety and how to land your first job.

View Furniture Finisher training Is this career right for me?

Cabinetmaker

Build cabinets, furniture and custom woodwork.

$46,680
Months to years of training

Floor Sander

Sand and refinish hardwood floors to make them look new.

$50,440
A few months on the job

Industrial Painter

Spray paint and coat products on production lines.

$48,250
A few months on the job

Upholsterer

Rebuild and recover furniture, car seats and boat interiors.

$46,340
Months of training

Compare: Furniture Finisher vs. Cabinetmaker · Furniture Finisher vs. Floor Sander · Furniture Finisher vs. Industrial Painter · Furniture Finisher vs. Upholsterer

Furniture Finisher FAQ

Do I need experience?

No; training is on the job.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects slight decline.

Is restoration a niche?

Yes, antiques need skilled finishers.

How much does a furniture finisher make?

The median annual wage for furniture finishers was $44,540 ($21.41 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $32,160 and the highest 10% earned more than $61,020.

How long does it take to become a furniture finisher?

Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a furniture finisher?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-7021 (Furniture finishers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Furniture finishers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.