How to become upholstererseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$46,340

25th–75th pct. $37,340–$54,580

Top pay (est.)

$82,900

Top 10% $63,770

Pay in 5 years

$53,400est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$61,600est.

$53,000–$71,600

Outlook score

40/100

★★☆☆☆ Below average

AI replacement risk

22%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

−2.3%

1,700 openings / yr

How to become upholsterers

Typical education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Upholsterers

Key skills

Critical Thinking

3.1

Monitoring

3.0

Complex Problem Solving

3.0

Active Listening

3.0

Reading Comprehension

3.0

Time Management

3.0

Operations Monitoring

2.9

Service Orientation

2.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Production and Processing

3.2

Design

2.9

Customer and Personal Service

2.8

Mechanical

2.6

Mathematics

2.5

Education and Training

2.2

Personnel and Human Resources

2.1

Building and Construction

2.1

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkThinking CreativelyMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMaking Decisions and Solving Problems

Important abilities

Arm-Hand SteadinessNear VisionFinger DexterityVisualizationManual DexterityVisual Color Discrimination

Education of workers

High school diploma

56%

Less than high school

44%

Training before entry

None / short demo

37%

6–12 months

15%

2–4 years

4–10 years

1–3 months

3–6 months

Related work experience

1–2 years

49%

3–6 months

13%

None

10%

Up to 1 month

10%

Over 10 years

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as upholsterers

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair.	$49,590	60/100	26%
2	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.	$50,620	61/100	27%
3	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators.	$74,450	50/100	47%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.	$79,860	58/100	38%
5	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications.	$48,570	45/100	55%
6	Industrial Machinery Mechanics Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.	$64,520	74/100	26%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.