What Does an Upholsterer Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

Upholsterer

Also called: Furniture Upholsterer · Auto Upholsterer · Marine Upholsterer · Reupholstery Technician

What upholsterers 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 an upholsterer do?

Upholsterers make, repair or replace upholstery for household furniture, vehicles and boats. The median pay is $46,340 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Months of training, and employment is projected to grow -2.3% from 2025–35.

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

Median pay
$46,340
$22.28/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-2.3%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
1,700
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
Months of training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
22,700
Employment, 2025

What upholsterers do

Upholsterers give furniture new life. They strip old fabric, repair frames and springs, replace foam and padding, cut and sew new covers, and fit them tightly on sofas, chairs, car seats and boat cushions.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects slight decline.

Typical duties

Strip old upholstery
Repair frames
Retie springs
Replace padding
Cut fabric
Sew covers
Fit and staple

Work environment and schedule

Upholsterers work in shops and factories.

Schedule: Full time, often self-employed.

A day in the life

8:00 AMStrip a sofa.
9:30 AMReglue a frame joint.
11:00 AMRetie springs.
1:00 PMCut fabric.

See a full day in the life of an upholsterer →

Upholsterer salary

Half of upholsterers earned more than $46,340 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $31,690 for the lowest 10% to $63,770 for the top 10%.

$31,69010th$46,340Median$63,77090th

Full upholsterer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an upholsterer

Finish high school
Take an upholstery course
Work in a shop
Build skills
Open a shop

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

Step-by-step guide to becoming an upholsterer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Stripping
Frame repair
Spring tying
Pattern cutting
Sewing

People skills

Patience
Eye for detail
Customer service
Creativity

All upholsterer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Creative craft
Can be self-employed
Visible results
Varied projects

Cons

Slight decline
Repetitive stapling
Lifting furniture
Competition from cheap furniture

Certifications and licenses

Upholstery course: Trade school.
Marine upholstery training: Helpful.
Business license: If self-employed.
Sewing course: Helpful.

Career path

Apprentice: Entry.
Upholsterer: Craft.
Master Upholsterer: Complex work.
Shop Owner: Business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Upholsterer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as reupholster a dining chair seat and estimate fabric yardage, safety and how to land your first job.

View Upholsterer training Is this career right for me?

Sewing Machine Operator

Run industrial sewing machines to make clothing, upholstery and products.

$36,670
A few weeks on the job

Cabinetmaker

Build cabinets, furniture and custom woodwork.

$46,680
Months to years of training

Furniture Finisher

Stain, finish and restore furniture and cabinetry.

$44,540
A few months on the job

Hand Sewer

Sew by hand to finish garments, upholstery and specialty products.

$36,480
Months of practice

Compare: Upholsterer vs. Sewing Machine Operator · Upholsterer vs. Cabinetmaker · Upholsterer vs. Furniture Finisher · Upholsterer vs. Hand Sewer

Upholsterer FAQ

Can I work for myself?

Yes, many upholsterers do.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects slight decline.

Is marine upholstery a niche?

Yes, and often in demand.

How much does an upholsterer make?

The median annual wage for upholsterers was $46,340 ($22.28 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,690 and the highest 10% earned more than $63,770.

How long does it take to become an upholsterer?

Most people need about Months of training of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be an upholsterer?

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

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-6093 (Upholsterers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Upholsterers (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.