Upholsterers

What the job really is

Make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-6093
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staples.
• Measure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, following sketches and design specifications.
• Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded surfaces.
• Make, restore, or create custom upholstered furniture, using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.
• Read work orders, and apply knowledge and experience with materials to determine types and amounts of materials required to cover workpieces.
• Examine furniture frames, upholstery, springs, and webbing to locate defects.
• Adjust or replace webbing, padding, or springs, and secure them in place.
• Sew rips or tears in material, or create tufting, using needles and thread.
• Remove covering, webbing, padding, or defective springs from workpieces, using hand tools such as hammers and tack pullers.
• Attach fasteners, grommets, buttons, buckles, ornamental trim, and other accessories to covers or frames, using hand tools.
• Repair furniture frames and refinish exposed wood.
• Interweave and fasten strips of webbing to the backs and undersides of furniture, using small hand tools and fasteners.

Tools and technology

Autodesk AutoCAD, Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Air compressors, Air staple guns, Arch punches, Button machines, Caning nippers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
• Furniture Finishers
• Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
• Sewers, Hand
• Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
• Sewing Machine Operators
• Carpet Installers
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Upholsterers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.