Upholsterer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Upholsterers Make?
Upholsterers earn a median annual salary of $46,190 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $32,190 at the 10th percentile to $63,600 at the 90th percentile — a range of $31,410. The highest-paying state is Minnesota at $56,840.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,190 |
| 25th percentile | $37,200 |
| Median (50th) | $46,190 |
| 75th percentile | $51,740 |
| 90th percentile | $63,600 |
Upholsterer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesotatop | $56,840 |
| Colorado | $55,990 |
| New Jersey | $55,290 |
| Washington | $51,610 |
| North Dakota | $51,370 |
| Nebraska | $51,240 |
| North Carolina | $50,140 |
| Iowa | $49,670 |
| Maryland | $49,510 |
| Georgia | $49,120 |
| New York | $49,020 |
| California | $47,840 |
| Massachusetts | $47,010 |
| Mississippi | $46,900 |
| South Carolina | $46,040 |
| Delaware | $46,030 |
| Connecticut | $46,020 |
| Wisconsin | $45,530 |
| Oregon | $44,930 |
| Arizona | $44,620 |
| Vermont | $44,270 |
| Nevada | $43,720 |
| Maine | $43,680 |
| Kentucky | $43,670 |
| Utah | $43,150 |
| Michigan | $43,120 |
| Florida | $42,540 |
| Oklahoma | $42,390 |
| Illinois | $42,290 |
| Arkansas | $41,890 |
| Louisiana | $41,600 |
| Idaho | $41,320 |
| Ohio | $40,400 |
| Tennessee | $40,380 |
| Kansas | $40,330 |
| Indiana | $40,040 |
| Missouri | $39,970 |
| Virginia | $39,310 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,150 |
| Montana | $38,190 |
| Alabama | $37,690 |
| Texas | $36,620 |
| Hawaii | $33,640 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Upholsterers
Upholsterer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$32,190 – $37,200 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$46,190 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$51,740 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $63,600+ |
How to Earn More as an Upholsterer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Upholsterers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC earn $59,400 — $13,210 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($51,740) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Upholsterer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Upholstererthis career | $46,190 |
| Carpenter | $59,310 |
| Carpet Installer | $49,850 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $51,680 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler | $61,680 |
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SOC: 51-6093.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.