Upholsterers

£20,336

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

34 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

7.2%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Upholsterers

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 5412

Job holders in this unit group upholster vehicle, aircraft and other seating, fix trimmings to the interiors of vehicles and aircraft, upholster furniture such as chairs and sofas, and make mattresses, curtains and other soft furnishings.

Common tasks include:

measures frame to be covered or examines drawings or other specifications and cuts material with shears, knife or scissors;
tacks and staples or otherwise secures webbing to furniture frame;
pads springs and secures padding by stitching, stapling, tacking, etc.;
pins sections of coverings together, joins by sewing and inserts trims, braids and buttons as required and fits upholstery unit to frame;
operates machine to compress padded spring assemblies and inserts them into mattress covers;
encases bed springs and padding with selected covering material by hand or machine stitching and fits castors where required;
replaces covering, padding, webbing or springs to repair upholstered furniture;
measures, cuts, pins, sews and trims fabrics to make curtains, cushions, loose covers and similar soft furnishings.

Qualifications

There are no formal academic requirements although some employers may require GCSEs/S grades. Training is provided off- and on-the-job. NVQs/ SVQs in Upholstered Furniture Production are available at Level 2.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Upholsterers

Regional employment: Upholsterers

Future employment: Upholsterers

Top 12 industries: Upholsterers

Alternative & related job titles: Upholsterers

Upholsterer Foreman, shop, trim Maker, case (mattress, upholstery mfr) Trimmer (vehicle mfr) Finisher, quilt Trimmer, carriage Maker, cushion Coverer, Rexine Trimmer (railway workshops) Hand, bench (coach trimming) Maker, bed (mattress mfr) Stitcher, mattress Foreman (mattress mfr) Edger (mattress mfr) Maker, cover, mattress Trimmer (furniture mfr) Maker, mattress Fitter, furnishing Trimmer, upholsterer's Foreman (upholstering) Fitter, upholsterer's Trimmer, board, floor (coach trimming) Maker, pad (upholstery mfr) Maker, hassock Trimmer, seat, car Maker, mattress, interior, spring Trimmer, car Trimmer, coach Trimmer, leather (vehicle mfr) Manufacturer (mattress mfr) Maker, curtain Furnisher, soft Trimmer, body, car Packer, flock (mattress mfr) Trimmer, motor Trimmer (aircraft mfr) Filler (mattress, upholstery mfr) Finisher (coach trimming) Maker, eiderdown Fitter, curtain

Equality focus: Upholsterers

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.