Occupation Summary

Upholsterers

O*NET 51-6093.00

Description:

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

Annual Wages:
$37,962.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 7.58%.
Education Level:
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry

  1. Fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staples.
  2. Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded surfaces.
  3. Examine furniture frames, upholstery, springs, and webbing to locate defects.
  4. Attach fasteners, grommets, buttons, buckles, ornamental trim, and other accessories to covers or frames, using hand tools.
  5. Remove covering, webbing, padding, or defective springs from workpieces, using hand tools such as hammers and tack pullers.
  6. Read work orders, and apply knowledge and experience with materials to determine types and amounts of materials required to cover workpieces.
  7. Draw cutting lines on material following patterns, templates, sketches, or blueprints, using chalk, pencils, paint, or other methods.
  8. Make, restore, or create custom upholstered furniture, using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.
  9. Measure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, following sketches and design specifications.
  10. Maintain records of time required to perform each job.
  11. Discuss upholstery fabrics, colors, and styles with customers, and provide cost estimates.
  12. Repair furniture frames and refinish exposed wood.
  13. Operate sewing machines or sew upholstery by hand to seam cushions and join various sections of covering material.
  14. Pick up and deliver furniture.
  15. Interweave and fasten strips of webbing to the backs and undersides of furniture, using small hand tools and fasteners.
  16. Sew rips or tears in material, or create tufting, using needles and thread.
  17. Attach bindings or apply solutions to edges of cut material to prevent raveling.
  18. Adjust or replace webbing, padding, or springs, and secure them in place.
  19. Stretch webbing and fabric, using webbing stretchers.
  20. Design upholstery cover patterns and cutting plans, based on sketches, customer descriptions, or blueprints.
  21. Make, repair, or replace automobile upholstery and convertible and vinyl tops, using knowledge of fabric and upholstery methods.
  22. Collaborate with interior designers to decorate rooms and coordinate furnishing fabrics.

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National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Upholsterers employed Annual Growth Rate
Personal and household goods repair and maintenance 16.8 0.19
Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 5.7 -1.81
Automotive repair and maintenance 3.8 0.00
Ship and boat building 2.7 0.00
Other furniture related product manufacturing 2.2 -1.53


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $18.25
2024 National average hourly wage $22.58
2022 National employment 31,500
2022 Texas employment 1,675
Texas projected employment by 2032 1,802
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 174




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
61.40%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
60.40%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
57.20%
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
55.60%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
54.60%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
52.80%
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
48.00%
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
44.00%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
43.40%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
40.60%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
70.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
62.40%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
60.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
60.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
60.00%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
60.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
60.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
60.00%
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
60.00%
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
57.60%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
80.00%
Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
80.00%
Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
80.00%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
77.60%
Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
75.00%
Multilimb Coordination
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
75.00%
Visual Color Discrimination
The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
75.00%
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
72.40%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
65.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
65.00%


  • Handling and Moving Objects
    -- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    -- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing General Physical Activities
    -- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
    -- Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Other Activities


  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.



Tools

Air compressors: Air compressors;

Awls: Scratch awls;

Circle cutter: Fabric hole cutters;

Circlip pliers: Upholstery pliers;

Conduit benders: Spring benders;

Corner clamps: Pinch dogs;

End cut pliers: Caning nippers;

Flat nose pliers: Duck bill pliers;

Glue guns: Glue guns; Spray glue guns;

Hammers: Magnetic hammers; Ripping hammers; Tack hammers;

Hand clamps: Canvas pliers;

Hand sprayers: Siphon guns;

Heat guns: Heat guns;

Hex keys: Hex key sets;

Hold down clamps: Tack spacers;

Mallets: Rawhide mallets;

Metal cutters: Spring cutters;

Pattern cutting mats or boards: Cutting pads;

Power saws: Foam rubber cutters;

Pry bars: Ripping chisels;

Pullers: Door trim removers; Clip remover tools; Nail pliers; Tack pullers; Tack removers; Staple pliers; Staple pullers; Staple removers;

Punches or nail sets or drifts: Tucking tools; Snap setters; Arch punches; Fabric punches; Grommet inserting dies;

Retaining ring pliers: Hog ring pliers;

Rubber mallet: Rubber mallets;

Scissors: Thread nippers;

Seam ripper: Seam rippers;

Sewing machines: Industrial sewing machines;

Sewing needles: Upholstery needles; Upholstery tufting needles; Multipurpose sewing needles;

Shears: Upholstery shears;

Squares: Combination squares;

Stamping dies or punches: Button machines;

Staple guns: Air staple guns; Staple guns;

Straight pins: Straight pins;

Tensioners: Seam stretchers; Webbing stretchers;

Tinners snips: Tinners snips;

Utility knives: Utility knives;


Technology

Accounting software: Intuit QuickBooks;

Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: Enterprise resource planning ERP software;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Microsoft Windows;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Process mapping and design software: LibreOffice Draw;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Upholsterers include:
  • 51-7011.00 Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
  • 47-2041.00 Carpet Installers
  • 51-7021.00 Furniture Finishers
  • 51-9022.00 Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
  • 51-9195.00 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
  • 51-9123.00 Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
  • 51-6051.00 Sewers, Hand
  • 51-6031.00 Sewing Machine Operators
  • 51-6041.00 Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
  • 51-2041.00 Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters


No sources of additional information found.

Contact Texas Workforce Commission
Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.