Upholsterers
(NOC 6345)
in All Sales and ServiceUpholsterers cover furniture, fixtures and similar items with fabric, leather or other upholstery materials. They work at furniture, aircraft, motor vehicle and other manufacturing companies, furniture retail outlets and repair shops or they may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
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Compared to: All Sales and Service
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. The number employed in this occupation is expected to remain largely the same over the next few years. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Upholsterers most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 47% of Upholsterers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$5,956
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Sales and Service
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$18.36
Median$22.50
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,949
Minimum$16,629
Median$45,086
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Upholsterers cover furniture, fixtures and similar items with fabric, leather or other upholstery materials. They work at furniture, aircraft, motor vehicle and other manufacturing companies, furniture retail outlets and repair shops or they may be self-employed.
Job duties
Upholsterers:
- Discuss upholstery fabric, colour, and style with customers and provide cost estimate for upholstering furniture or other items.
- Lay out, measure and cut upholstery materials according to sketches or designs.
- Replace worn-out webbing, springs and other furniture parts using hand and power tools.
- Use sewing machines or sew upholstery materials by hand to seam cushions and join sections of covering materials.
- Install padding and underlays and fasten covering materials to furniture frames.
- Tack, glue or sew ornamental trim, braids or buttons on upholstered items.
- Lay out, cut, make and install upholstery in aircrafts, motor vehicles, railway cars, boats and ships.
- May repair furniture frames and refinish wood surfaces.
- May make upholstery patterns from sketches, customer descriptions or blueprints.
- May install, make, maintain and repair interior components of aircraft like seats, coverings, drapes, cargo nets, flooring, closets, bins and panels.
Sample job titles
- automobile apholsterer
- custom upholsterer
- furniture upholsterer
- upholsterer
- upholstery repairer
Skills
- You must be patient and capable of precise and exact work. Good eyesight, motor skills, and hand-eye coordination are also necessary. You must be able to follow directions closely and accept instructions from both clients and supervisors.
Job requirements
- High school is usually required.
- College or other specialized courses or an apprenticeship program in furniture upholstering and repair or several years of on-the-job training, including working as an upholsterer helper are usually required.
Other considerations
- Movement to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Sales and Service
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
N/AAnnapolis Valley
N/ASouthern
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Other services (except public administration)
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
65+
35-44
45-54
Compared to: All Sales and Service
15-24
45-54
25-34
55-64
35-44
Top levels of education
Less than high school
N/AHigh school
N/ATrade Certification
N/ABachelor
N/ACompared to: All Sales and Service
High school
$15,705 median annual incomeLess than high school
$9,866 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$20,644 median annual incomeBachelor
$21,262 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$21,234 median annual incomeEducation & training
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
No contacts were found under this occupation profileAdditional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.