Upholsterer
Upholsterers cover furniture such as sofas and chairs, as well as other surfaces, with fabric, leather, and other upholstery materials.
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Custom Upholsterer, Production Upholsterer, Re-upholsterer
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
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
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:
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.
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.
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.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
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
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.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
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.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
Upholsterers need:
Upholsterers should enjoy:
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.
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:
Tasks: Lay out, cut, fabricate and install upholstery | 99 |
---|---|
Tasks: Operate sewing machines or sew by hand | 92 |
Tasks: Tack, glue or sew ornamental trim, braids or buttons | 91 |
Tasks: Replace worn-out webbing, springs and other furniture parts | 87 |
Tasks: Repair furniture frames and refinish wood surfaces | 84 |
Hand-eye co-ordination | 69 |
Manual dexterity | 60 |
Attention to detail | 56 |
Ability to distinguish between colours | 52 |
Tasks: Garnish the bottom and the back of a seat with interoven rattan | 48 |
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
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.
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:
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.
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.