Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Upholsterers
Upholsterers make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.
The Builder
What they do
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Upholsterers draw cutting lines on material following patterns, templates, sketches, or blueprints, using chalk, pencils, paint, or other methods. They fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staples.
A typical day for an Upholsterer will also include:
- Discuss upholstery fabrics, colors, and styles with customers, and provide cost estimates.
- Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded surfaces.
- Measure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, following sketches and design specifications.
- Stretch webbing and fabric, using webbing stretchers.
- Make, restore, or create custom upholstered furniture, using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Upholsterers also pick up and deliver furniture. They may also collaborate with interior designers to decorate rooms and coordinate furnishing fabrics.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Upholsterers adjust or replace webbing, padding, or springs, and secure them in place. They might also maintain records of the time required to perform each job.
In addition, they discuss upholstery fabrics, colors, and styles with customers, and provide cost estimates.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them remove the covering, webbing, padding, or defective springs from workpieces, using hand tools such as hammers and tack pullers.
To some Upholsterers, it is also their responsibility to sew rips or tears in material or create tufting, using needles and thread.
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What is the job like
71% said they were satisfied with their job and 52% said they found their job meaningful.
Hard graft! Planning and organising the smoothest way to complete a job is always on your mind. As every job is unique you do have to mentally plan the process to make your day efficient. There are many different aspects to reupholstery. These can include; cutting, sewing, ripping out, measuring, designing, upholstering with staples or … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Salary
Entry-level Upholsterers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $23,590 to $28,920 per year or $11 to $14 per hour.
| Salary range | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $26 | $54,630 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $22 | $44,970 |
| Middle (Mid 50%) | $17 | $36,250 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $14 | $28,920 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $11 | $23,590 |
Should you become one
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.
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