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Upholsterers

SOC 51-6093.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers residential, commercial, and automotive upholstery work performed in production shops, restoration studios, and small custom furniture businesses, from entry-level fitting and cutting tasks through shop leadership and business management.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Hand tools and staple guns — identify and use under direct supervision to fit and secure basic covering materials on furniture frames in a production shop.
  2. Measuring tape and cutting instruments — follow marked patterns to measure and cut covering fabrics under close technician guidance in a training environment.
  3. Loose fiber stuffing and foam padding — apply to furniture frames under supervisor direction to begin building rounded, even surface profiles.
  4. Work orders and material lists — read and interpret with assistance to determine fabric type and approximate quantity needed for a standard upholstery job.
  5. Furniture frames and webbing — visually inspect under direction to recognize obvious defects such as broken springs or torn webbing in a shop setting.
  6. Needles and thread — practice basic hand-sewing techniques to close simple rips or tears in upholstery material under instructor supervision.
  7. Covering materials and adhesives — apply glue or cement to secure fabric edges to frames following step-by-step instructions in a vocational training shop.
  8. Cotton batting and felt padding — layer and smooth onto seat cushions under guidance to achieve consistent thickness across entry-level furniture pieces.
  9. Design sketches and cutting patterns — use with assistance to align fabric grain and match basic repeat patterns before cutting in a supervised workshop.
  10. Spring and webbing replacements — assist a senior upholsterer in adjusting and securing springs in place on standard furniture frames during on-the-job training.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Fabric covering materials and power staplers — independently fit, stretch, and secure coverings on standard furniture frames with minimal oversight in a production upholstery shop.
  2. Measuring and cutting instruments — accurately measure and cut new covering materials from design specifications and patterns with routine efficiency on a daily production schedule.
  3. Foam, cotton, and loose fiber stuffing — select appropriate padding combinations and build up furniture surfaces to achieve smooth, consistent contours on repeat job types.
  4. Work orders and material specifications — read and apply independently to calculate fabric yardage and supply requirements before beginning familiar upholstery projects.
  5. Furniture frames, springs, and webbing — examine systematically to diagnose common defects and determine appropriate repair methods without supervisor prompting.
  6. Webbing, padding, and spring systems — adjust or replace components and secure them correctly on standard residential and commercial furniture in a shop environment.
  7. Hand-sewing needles and thread — execute tufting patterns and repair moderate tears with consistent stitch quality on upholstery projects of moderate complexity.
  8. CAD or design software — navigate basic functions to review design layouts and confirm material placement requirements before cutting fabric on custom orders.
  9. Adhesives, cement, and staples — select and apply the correct fastening method for each material type and substrate encountered in everyday furniture upholstery tasks.
  10. Time management techniques — prioritize and sequence daily upholstery tasks to meet production deadlines across multiple furniture pieces simultaneously in a busy shop.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Custom upholstery projects — independently plan, execute, and finish complex furniture pieces using advanced hand tool skills and comprehensive knowledge of fabrics and construction methods.
  2. Non-standard fabric patterns and specialty materials — measure, cut, and align with precision to meet custom design specifications on high-end or restoration furniture without supervision.
  3. Multi-layer padding systems — select and build up foam, cotton, and fiber combinations autonomously to match original or specified contour profiles on antique and custom furniture.
  4. Complex work orders and design drawings — interpret fully and apply critical thinking to resolve material ambiguities and adapt plans to non-routine or unfamiliar workpieces.
  5. Structural defects in frames and suspension systems — diagnose root causes through thorough inspection and develop appropriate repair strategies for unusual or severe damage.
  6. Spring, webbing, and padding replacements — execute complete suspension overhauls on a wide variety of furniture styles, including antique and automotive pieces, without assistance.
  7. Tufting, channeling, and decorative sewing — produce consistent, high-quality hand and machine stitching on custom patterns across a broad range of upholstery applications.
  8. ERP or production tracking software — enter and monitor job data accurately to support shop workflow visibility and material inventory control across active upholstery orders.
  9. Problem sensitivity and judgment — anticipate material compatibility issues or structural weaknesses before they affect finished quality, adjusting methods proactively on complex jobs.
  10. Mentorship of newer workers — demonstrate correct technique and explain decision-making rationale to apprentice-level upholsterers during live production tasks in a shop setting.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Shop-wide upholstery standards and workflows — establish and enforce quality benchmarks, tool protocols, and material specifications across all production staff in a furniture manufacturing or restoration business.
  2. Custom and restoration project portfolios — lead design consultation with clients and translate complex requirements into detailed work orders and cutting patterns for the full production team.
  3. Training curricula for upholstery skills — develop and deliver structured on-the-job instruction covering fabric selection, padding techniques, and frame repair for emerging and developing staff.
  4. Material procurement and vendor relationships — evaluate fabric, foam, and hardware suppliers against quality and cost criteria to make purchasing decisions that support shop profitability.
  5. Complex defect and failure analysis — diagnose systemic quality problems across multiple finished pieces and implement corrective process changes that reduce rework shop-wide.
  6. Production scheduling and capacity planning — manage workflow assignments, tool availability, and deadline commitments across a team of upholsterers handling diverse concurrent projects.
  7. CAD and process mapping tools — leverage design and planning software to optimize cutting layouts, reduce material waste, and document best-practice methods for organizational use.
  8. Business performance metrics — interpret spreadsheet and ERP reports on labor hours, material costs, and job completion rates to guide operational decisions and continuous improvement.
  9. Industry standards and safety regulations — ensure shop compliance with relevant workplace safety, material handling, and product quality standards, updating practices as regulations evolve.
  10. Organizational reputation and business development — represent the upholstery operation to commercial clients, trade partners, and industry groups, building relationships that drive sustained growth.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Related titles
Upholsterer (Auto) · Upholsterer (Furniture) · Aircraft Seat Upholsterer · Arm Maker · Arm Rest Builder · Automobile Upholsterer (Auto Upholsterer) · Automotive Upholsterer · Body Trimmer Upholsterer · Box Spring Upholsterer · Car Seat Coverer · Car Seat Maker · Car Seat Upholsterer
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0143 · Upholsterer (Auto) · 0144 · Upholsterer (Furniture)
O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementActive ListeningSpeakingActive Learning
Knowledge domains
Production and ProcessingDesign
Abilities
Finger DexterityArm-Hand SteadinessManual DexterityNear VisionControl PrecisionMultilimb CoordinationVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWritten ComprehensionProblem Sensitivity
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityCautiousnessPerseveranceAchievement OrientationIntegrity
Technology
Computer aided design CAD softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareAccounting softwareProcess mapping and design softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareOperating system softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  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. Examine furniture frames, upholstery, springs, and webbing to locate defects.
  7. Adjust or replace webbing, padding, or springs, and secure them in place.
  8. Sew rips or tears in material, or create tufting, using needles and thread.
CIP education codes
48.0303

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.