Also called: Furniture Upholsterer, Auto Upholsterer
Covers sofas, chairs, car seats and boat cushions with new fabric, leather and padding.
You strip an old couch down to the frame, re-tie the springs and lay in new foam. Then you stretch and staple fabric so the pattern lines up perfectly. Some upholsterers specialize in classic cars, boats or even airplane interiors.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High-school diploma; learned on the job or through apprenticeship.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Apprenticeship. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Upholstery (trade school).
Shrinking (about -3% over 10 years). BLS projects a small decline.
Low risk for 10 years. Custom upholstery and repair is hands-on and varied; little of it can be automated.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply at upholstery shops and furniture plants or through a staffing agency; new hires are trained on the job
Classes: Sewing or fashion CTE, Woodshop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-6093.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.