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Upholsterer

Upholsterers cover furniture such as sofas and chairs, as well as other surfaces, with fabric, leather, and other upholstery materials.

Also Known As

Custom Upholsterer, Production Upholsterer, Re-upholsterer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 7341: Upholsterers

2006 NOC-S

  • H511: Upholsterers

2011 NOC

  • 6345: Upholsterers

2016 NOC

  • 6345: Upholsterers

2021 NOC

  • 63221: Upholsterers

2023 OaSIS

  • 63221.00: Upholsterers
Duties
Updated Mar 27, 2023

Custom upholsterers make, or sometimes rebuild, an entire piece of furniture. They usually work in small shops where they cover custom or made-to-order furniture in materials, using standard patterns. They may help customers choose fabrics and styles. Some highly skilled custom upholsterers design and produce furniture according to customer specifications.

Some custom upholsterers may also create custom covers for vehicles or industrial equipment.

Production upholsterers work in factories. They most often specialize in one area of new furniture production. They work on an assembly line performing one function. They then pass the furniture on to others to finish.

Re-upholsterers recondition old furniture. In general, they:

  • Remove the old cover and padding
  • Examine the springing and, if required, replace it with webbing, coil springs, or sinuous springs
  • Build the chair or sofa up with loose fibre stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding
  • Shape and form the stuffing
  • Measure and cut fabric to fit each part of the furniture
  • Shape and mark fabric for sewing
  • Sew fabric and cushions
  • Fit the fabric to the furniture
  • Staple or sew the fabric in place

Re-upholsterers also fix furniture by repairing split seams, replacing broken springs, and replacing foam in seat cushions.

Vehicle upholsterers cover or recondition vehicle components, such as seats, door panels, carpets, headliner, dashboard pads, and centre consoles. Types of vehicles include cars, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, jet skis, and boats.

Vehicle upholsterers may also work on car and boat canvas tops and covers.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 27, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Upholstery work is physically demanding, and requires considerable standing, bending, and stooping. It may involve handling heavy pieces of furniture.

Upholsterers use a variety of hand tools. These include measuring tapes, pneumatic staplers, hammers, scissors, and pliers. They must be careful to avoid injury. They work indoors in shops or factories. These are usually well lit and clean, although sometimes dusty.

Hours of work vary. Production upholsterers most often work shifts. Custom upholsterers and re-upholsterers who own their own shops may work long, irregular hours to meet customer demands.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
C
Conventional
E
Enterprising
This occupation
You

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Upholsterers
2023 OaSIS: 63221.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 27, 2023

Upholsterers need:

  • Manual dexterity and coordination
  • Good vision
  • Physical strength and endurance
  • Self-motivation
  • Problem-solving skills

Upholsterers should enjoy:

  • Using materials creatively
  • Using tools and machinery to perform precision tasks
  • Having clear guidelines and methods for their work
  • Dealing with customers

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Upholsterers

2016 NOC: 6345

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 101 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 23, 2022 and Sep 29, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Lay out, cut, fabricate and install upholstery
Tasks: Operate sewing machines or sew by hand
Tasks: Tack, glue or sew ornamental trim, braids or buttons
Tasks: Replace worn-out webbing, springs and other furniture parts
Tasks: Repair furniture frames and refinish wood surfaces
Hand-eye co-ordination
Manual dexterity
Attention to detail
Ability to distinguish between colours
Tasks: Garnish the bottom and the back of a seat with interoven rattan
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 27, 2023
  • Minimum Education Less than high school

Most upholsterers are trained on the job. Mastering all the skills necessary to work on their own takes up to 5 years.

Production upholsterers begin on the simpler functions in an assembly line and progress to more complex tasks. Custom upholsterers start with routine tasks such as removing old fabric, padding, or springs. They move on to more difficult tasks as they gain experience.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 27, 2023
  • Certification Not regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 27, 2023

Most production upholsterers work in furniture factories. Some work at home and are paid by the amount of fabric used. Most custom upholsterers are self-employed but some work in small shops that employ fewer than 5 people. Some upholsterers work for furniture stores and businesses, such as:

  • Hotel chains
  • Railways
  • Airlines
  • Automotive manufacturers

Experienced production upholsterers may advance to supervisory positions depending on their experience, management ability, and the size of the business. Experienced custom upholsterers may open their own shops.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Upholsterers
2016 NOC: 6345

82.5% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Upholsterers
2021 NOC: 63221
Balanced
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Upholsterers
2016 NOC: 6345
2.8%
Annual Growth
(Above average)
23
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Jun 05, 2025

Inexperienced upholsterers may start at minimum wage. Experienced upholsterers may be paid by the hour, the yard, the metre, or on a piecework basis. This depends on the employer and the kind of work.

The upholstery business is highly competitive. Profits made by self-employed custom upholsterers depend largely on a combination of market conditions and their:

  • Upholstery skills
  • Business skills
  • Reputation

Upholsterers are part of the larger 2021 National Occupational Classification 63221: Upholsterers

According to the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Upholsterers occupational group earned on average from $20.95 to $26.88 an hour. The overall average was $22.79 an hour. For more information, see the Upholsterers wage profile.

As of June 26, 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Employment Standards Rules.

 

Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training

Updated Mar 27, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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