Updated · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Upholsterer Salary

Upholsterers earn a median $46,340 a year nationally. Production Occupations

U.S. median
$46,340
$22.28 per hour
Range
$31,690 – $63,770
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
20,140
across the U.S.
▲0.3%
Pay trend: The median for upholsterers in the U.S. rose from $46,190 (May 2024) to $46,340 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 2.1%.

What upholsterers do

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

Typical education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
-2.3% (declining)
Openings per year
1,700
Self-employed
12%

Employment of upholsterers is projected to shrink 2.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.

Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.

Upholsterer take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Upholsterer
Deductions, kids & local tax

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay
$39,414
per year · effective tax rate 14.9%
$3,285Monthly
$1,642Twice a month
$1,516Every 2 weeks
$18.95Hourly
  • Federal income tax$3,381
  • Social Security (6.2%)$2,873
  • Medicare (1.45%)$672
  • Texas income tax$0
  • Take-home pay$39,414

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

PercentileSalaryHourlyTake-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)$31,690$15.24$27,643
25th percentile$37,340$17.95$32,183
Median (50th)$46,340$22.28$39,414
75th percentile$54,580$26.24$46,035
90th percentile (top earners)$63,770$30.66$53,419

Upholsterer salary by state

StateMedian1-yr changeTake-homeRangeJobs
Rhode Island $63,360—$51,331 $57,030 – $63,36030
Hawaii $57,390+70.6%$45,461 $30,610 – $80,37030
Washington $55,970+8.4%$47,152 $44,250 – $84,480200
North Dakota $52,420+2.0%$44,299 $37,340 – $65,530—
Connecticut $50,870+10.5%$41,690 $40,120 – $75,610210
Georgia $50,760+3.3%$40,954 $29,320 – $73,480780
North Carolina $50,600+0.9%$41,327 $38,270 – $74,4904,050
Maryland $50,270+1.5%$40,548 $38,550 – $63,430200
Louisiana $49,920+20.0%$41,179 $33,920 – $57,29080
Nevada $49,880+14.1%$42,259 $24,960 – $71,030220
Delaware $49,860+8.3%$40,152 $40,120 – $82,00040
Minnesota $48,810−14.1%$39,603 $43,680 – $58,63060
California $48,580+1.5%$39,618 $37,710 – $62,8101,640
Oregon $48,560+8.1%$37,779 $38,120 – $58,290250
Massachusetts $48,380+2.9%$38,854 $40,120 – $77,050150
New York $47,320−3.5%$38,243 $35,300 – $81,670480
Wisconsin $47,010+3.3%$38,665 $26,850 – $71,210260
Indiana $45,080+12.6%$37,101 $35,020 – $58,5501,400
Mississippi $44,930−4.2%$37,216 $32,070 – $50,8802,410
Michigan $44,890+4.1%$36,592 $36,770 – $60,300500
Utah $44,590+3.3%$36,968 $32,570 – $60,68090
Arkansas $43,660+4.2%$35,771 $30,650 – $65,240210
Kansas $43,260+7.3%$35,325 $33,390 – $64,810260
Texas $42,930+17.2%$36,674 $29,360 – $61,730710
Pennsylvania $42,860+9.5%$35,302 $31,520 – $60,050280
New Jersey $42,640−22.9%$35,633 $36,250 – $74,480410
Iowa $42,610−14.2%$35,450 $31,660 – $52,98080
Illinois $42,450+0.4%$34,332 $34,300 – $60,200250
Colorado $42,240−24.6%$34,970 $35,500 – $60,890160
Arizona $41,860−6.2%$34,977 $35,310 – $59,600180
Kentucky $41,690−4.5%$34,336 $38,020 – $45,09080
Montana $41,600+8.9%$34,407 $37,250 – $59,28040
Idaho $39,730−3.8%$33,106 $28,240 – $49,900190
Ohio $39,420−2.4%$33,552 $27,310 – $57,980380
South Carolina $38,880−15.6%$32,244 $33,210 – $56,590140
Alabama $38,270+1.5%$31,281 $30,850 – $67,410120
Oklahoma $38,020−10.3%$31,564 $28,490 – $88,700150
Tennessee $38,020−5.8%$32,729 $29,580 – $50,610460
Florida $37,840−11.0%$32,584 $31,670 – $56,4701,530
Virginia $31,950−18.7%$26,829 $26,640 – $59,270340
Missouri $29,990−25.0%$25,805 $28,600 – $51,910—
Nebraska $29,960−41.5%$25,731 $28,520 – $53,110110

Related jobs

JobMedian salaryEducationGrowth 2025–35
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers$46,350High school diploma or equivalent-3.3%
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other$37,280High school diploma or equivalent-13.4%
Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker$62,750High school diploma or equivalent-15.0%
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers$41,640No formal educational credential-8.8%
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$39,530High school diploma or equivalent-13.7%
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$38,760High school diploma or equivalent-13.6%
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$38,670High school diploma or equivalent-10.3%
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operator and Tender$38,180High school diploma or equivalent-12.5%
Shoe and Leather Worker and Repairer$37,800High school diploma or equivalent-6.5%
Sewing Machine Operator$36,670No formal educational credential-15.1%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a upholsterer make?

The national median salary for upholsterers is $46,340 a year ($22.28 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,690 and the top 10% earn over $63,770. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays upholsterers the most?

Rhode Island has the highest median pay at $63,360.

How many upholsterers are there in the U.S.?

About 20,140 people work as upholsterers nationwide.