How much does a upholsterer make?
The median upholsterer in the United States earns $46,190 per year, about $22.21 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all upholsterers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-6093.
Upholsterer salary range
Pay for upholsterers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $32,190 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $63,600. The average (mean) wage of $46,960 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,190 | $15.47 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,200 | $17.89 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,190 | $22.21 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $51,740 | $24.88 | |
| 90th percentile | $63,600 | $30.58 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for upholsterers (SOC 51-6093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Upholsterer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Upholsterers earn the most in Minnesota at $56,840 a year, and the least in Hawaii at $33,640. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $56,840 | 80 |
| Colorado | $55,990 | 380 |
| New Jersey | $55,290 | 290 |
| Washington | $51,610 | 400 |
| North Dakota | $51,370 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $51,240 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $50,140 | 3,860 |
| Iowa | $49,670 | 70 |
| Maryland | $49,510 | 60 |
| Georgia | $49,120 | 900 |
| New York | $49,020 | 530 |
| California | $47,840 | 1,880 |
| Massachusetts | $47,010 | 200 |
| Mississippi | $46,900 | 2,480 |
| South Carolina | $46,040 | N/A |
| Delaware | $46,030 | 30 |
| Connecticut | $46,020 | 210 |
| Wisconsin | $45,530 | 220 |
| Oregon | $44,930 | 300 |
| Arizona | $44,620 | 370 |
| Vermont | $44,270 | 70 |
| Nevada | $43,720 | 360 |
| Maine | $43,680 | 30 |
| Kentucky | $43,670 | 130 |
| Utah | $43,150 | 130 |
| Michigan | $43,120 | 690 |
| Florida | $42,540 | 1,370 |
| Oklahoma | $42,390 | 110 |
| Illinois | $42,290 | 410 |
| Arkansas | $41,890 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $41,600 | 120 |
| Idaho | $41,320 | 130 |
| Ohio | $40,400 | 660 |
| Tennessee | $40,380 | 420 |
| Kansas | $40,330 | 180 |
| Indiana | $40,040 | 1,370 |
| Missouri | $39,970 | 380 |
| Virginia | $39,310 | 360 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,150 | 410 |
| Montana | $38,190 | 40 |
| Alabama | $37,690 | 160 |
| Texas | $36,620 | 730 |
| Hawaii | $33,640 | 40 |
State median wages for upholsterers (SOC 51-6093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for upholsterers
The BLS projects employment of upholsterers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 2.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 22,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 22,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,700 openings a year for upholsterers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an upholsterer
The typical entry-level education for upholsterers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an upholsterer earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Minnesota, $56,840) and the lowest (Hawaii, $33,640) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 20,990 people work as upholsterers in the United States. At $46,190 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Upholsterer salary FAQ
How much does an upholsterer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an upholsterer is $22.21. The middle half of upholsterers earn between $17.89 and $24.88 per hour.
What is the highest upholsterer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of upholsterers earn more than $63,600 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an upholsterer make a year?
The median annual salary for an upholsterer is $46,190. The average (mean) wage of $46,960 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an upholsterer a well paid job?
At $46,190 a year, an upholsterer earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 20,990 people work as upholsterers in the United States.
Which state pays upholsterers the most?
Minnesota has the highest median salary for upholsterers at $56,840 a year. Colorado ($55,990) and New Jersey ($55,290) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an upholsterer a good career?
Employment of upholsterers is projected to shrink 2.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an upholsterer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for upholsterers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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