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: Upholsterers (7341) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Upholsterers (H511) 
• 2011 NOC: Upholsterers (6345) 
• 2016 NOC: Upholsterers (6345) 
• 2021 NOC: Upholsterers (63221) 

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

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.

Upholstery work 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.

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. However, 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.

In the 6345: Upholsterers occupational group, 82.5% of people work in:

• Other Services
• Manufacturing

Employment Outlook

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

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• 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, the 6345: Upholsterers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

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