Career Outlook

When you complete your training as a professional upholsterer through the Foley Belsaw institute, your career outlook should be excellent!  The number of upholsterers with experience is limited; few young people enter the occupation and few shops offer training.  But designing furniture is exciting, and with your training complete you can make your designs come to life!  Here are just a few of the areas you can specialize in:

• Antiques
• Couches
• Chairs
• Office furniture
• Office landscaping (work stations, cubes, convertible offices, etc.)
• Custom or restored automotive interiors
• Custom motorcycle seats
• Airplane interiors

Steady demand will continue for upholsterers to restore valuable furniture. Unlike many other production occupations, automation is not expected to reduce employment opportunities substantially in this occupation, because most upholstery work is labor-intensive and is not easily automated.  That means professional upholsterers are not likely to see layoffs and jobs sent over seas.  Upholsterers provide a valuable and profitable service that’s always in demand.

Employment of upholsterers in automobile repair has been declining for some time, although the rate of decline should slow. The widespread use of more durable fabrics for automobile seat covers, soft-tops, and convertibles is responsible, in part, for the loss of workers in this industry. This decline may be partially offset in coming years by the reemergence of the luxury automobile, especially those with leather upholstery and convertible tops. Despite little or no change in overall employment of upholsterers, job openings should arise from the need to replace experienced workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.

As an upholsterer, you can expect to make as much as $60,000 a year or more depending on the number of jobs you complete.  When you consider the wide variety of upholstery needs, it’s no wonder to see why.  Set your own hours, be your own boss, or work for an established service provider.  The choice is yours in this high-demand career field.