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, with employment around 75. 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. Also, a large percentage of the workforce is self-employed which should be an important consideration for those thinking about employment in the occupation.
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
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared 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/AApprenticeship
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 incomeApprenticeship
$21,234 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult high school/secondary diploma programs
This program is typically offered at the high school level.The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 220
Halifax, NS B3J 2M4
(866) 679-6722
Various, NS
Various, NS
Upholstery/upholsterer
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install springs, filling, padding, covering and finishing on items such as furniture, automobile seats, caskets, mattresses, and bedsprings.
Employment requirements & contacts
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