Upholsterers in Massachusetts
Thinking about a career as an Upholsterers in Massachusetts? Here’s what the data says. Make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.
What do Upholsterers Make in Massachusetts?
For a upholsterers working in Massachusetts, wages run about $47,010 per year (or roughly $22.60/hour).Annual wages span from $41,660 at the 10th percentile to $65,940 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| 25th percentile | $44,250 | $21.28 |
| Median (50th) | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| 75th percentile | $60,140 | $28.91 |
| 90th percentile | $65,940 | $31.70 |
The job concentration index in Massachusetts compared to the national average — is 0.40, suggesting fewer upholsterers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, upholsterers earn a median of $34,327 per year ($16.50/hour), higher than the Massachusetts median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 772,524 upholsterers nationwide. In Massachusetts alone, approximately 200 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 290 upholsterers.
Top Massachusetts Metros for Upholsterers
These are the Massachusetts metros with the most upholsterers in Massachusetts.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 110 | $48,080 |
| Worcester, MA | 60 | $44,260 |
Top States for Upholsterers Employment
View the states that employ the most upholsterers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | 3,860 |
| Mississippi | 2,480 |
| California | 1,880 |
| Indiana | 1,370 |
| Florida | 1,370 |
| Georgia | 900 |
| Texas | 730 |
| Michigan | 690 |
| Ohio | 660 |
| New York | 530 |
| Tennessee | 420 |
| Illinois | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | 410 |
| Washington | 400 |
| Colorado | 380 |
| Missouri | 380 |
| Arizona | 370 |
| Nevada | 360 |
| Virginia | 360 |
| Oregon | 300 |
Highest-Paying States for Upholsterers
Where upholsterers earn the most: upholsterers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $56,840 |
| Colorado | $55,990 |
| New Jersey | $55,290 |
| Washington | $51,610 |
| North Dakota | $51,370 |
| Nebraska | $51,240 |
| North Carolina | $50,140 |
| Iowa | $49,670 |
| Maryland | $49,510 |
| Georgia | $49,120 |
Skills
The most important upholsterers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for upholsterers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Getting Information
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Thinking Creatively
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Leatherworking & Upholstery
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to upholsterers include:
- Carpenters
- Carpet Installers
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
- Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
Also Known As
Aircraft Seat Upholsterer, Arm Maker, Arm Rest Builder, Automobile Upholsterer (Auto Upholsterer), Automotive Upholsterer, Body Trimmer Upholsterer, Box Spring Upholsterer, Car Seat Coverer, Car Seat Maker, Car Seat Upholsterer, Casket Coverer, Casket Trimmer, Chair Pad Maker, Chair Upholsterer, Convertible Top Installer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-6093.00