Upholsterers
SOC Code: 51-6093
Upholsterers carries a 36% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $46,190 and -1.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 22,700 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 36% AI exposure, Upholsterers sits 1 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 56% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Upholsterers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Upholsterers has ai exposure of 36%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Upholsterers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Upholsterers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Upholsterers (SOC 51-6093) carries an AI exposure score of 36%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 22,700 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -1.8% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $46,190, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Upholsterers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staples.
- 2. Measure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, following sketches and design specifications.
- 3. Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded surfaces.
- 4. Make, restore, or create custom upholstered furniture, using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.
- 5. Read work orders, and apply knowledge and experience with materials to determine types and amounts of materials required to cover workpieces.
- 6. Draw cutting lines on material following patterns, templates, sketches, or blueprints, using chalk, pencils, paint, or other methods.
- 7. Stretch webbing and fabric, using webbing stretchers.
- 8. Operate sewing machines or sew upholstery by hand to seam cushions and join various sections of covering material.
- 9. Examine furniture frames, upholstery, springs, and webbing to locate defects.
- 10. Adjust or replace webbing, padding, or springs, and secure them in place.
Key Skills Required
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
- Social Perceptiveness
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- Design
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administration and Management
- English Language
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Upholsterers?
Upholsterers has an AI exposure score of 36%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Upholsterers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Upholsterers is projected to decline by 1.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 22,700 workers.
What skills are needed for Upholsterers?
Key skills for Upholsterers include Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Upholsterers earn?
The median annual wage for Upholsterers is $46,190, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Upholsterers?
The typical entry-level education for Upholsterers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Upholsterers?
Upholsterers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).