Upholsterers
Production
Covering a chair or vehicle seat means measuring fabric against patterns and sketches, then stretching and fastening it to the frame with staples, glue, cement, or hand and power tools. Padding is built up with loose fiber, cotton, felt, or foam so the surface sits smooth and rounded. Frames, springs, and webbing are inspected for defects and replaced or secured as needed; tears are sewn and tufting is added by needle and thread. Work orders and knowledge of fabrics decide how much material a job needs, including custom pieces. It suits people who like precise, hands-on fitting of cloth and stuffing and who can judge materials from a work order.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$46'340
Median Wage Market Position
$46'340
What you might do
- Stretch and fasten fabric onto furniture frames
- Measure and cut covering fabric from patterns
- Pad frames with foam, felt, or cotton
- Check frames, springs, and webbing for defects
- Replace worn webbing, padding, or springs
- Sew rips or stitch tufting by hand
Skills that matter
- Reading work orders for material needs
- Padding frames with stuffing or foam
- Measuring and cutting new cover fabrics
- Finding defects in springs and webbing
- Fitting covers with staples or glue
- Sewing rips or creating tufting
AI & the future of this role
Recovering frames, matching worn fabrics, and achieving a clean fit on irregular furniture or vehicle interiors remain tactile craft work that is hard to automate. Custom repair demand and on-site judgment help keep this trade relatively resilient, even as some factory covering steps may shift.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details