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Upholsterers

THE JOB

UPHOLSTERERS create custom furniture and recondition old or worn 
upholstered furniture using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and 
upholstery methods.  These skilled crafts workers build or repair frames 
and add or replace fabrics, springs, and webbing.  Some upholsterers 
repair and replace automobile upholstery and convertible and vinyl tops.

Upholstering involves several steps.  When making furniture, Upholsterers 
start with a wooden frame and build on that foundation.  When 
reconditioning furniture, Upholsterers first remove the old or worn 
fabric.  If it is necessary, they remove the burlap and padding that cover 
the springs.  They then examine the springs and replace any broken or bent 
ones.   They also remove the webbing, which holds the springs in place, if 
it is worn.  Once the frame is exposed, Upholsterers may reglue loose 
sections or refinish wooden parts.

The next step is to interweave and fasten strips of webbing to the back 
and underside of the furniture, using tacks or staples.  The springs are 
then placed in position and tied with twine.  In modern furniture, coil 
springs have been replaced by other types such as "sinuous" or "no-sag" 
springs.  Burlap is used to form a covering for the material that pads the 
springs.  Cotton and foam rubber are examples of materials used for 
padding.  Upholsterers then cut the upholstery fabric, sew it where 
necessary, and fit it smoothly onto the finished padding work.  
Upholsterers complete the job by making pillow covers and sewing or tacking 
on fringes, buttons, or other ornaments.

Upholsterers use several small hand tools and fasteners in their work, 
including hammers, staple guns, tack and staple removers, shears, and 
pliers.  A special tool, the webbing stretcher, is used to stretch the 
webbing and the fabric.  Upholstery needles and a sewing machine are used 
in the sewing stages.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Skill as an Upholsterer can lead to the opening of a small business.  Many 
Upholsterers work out of their homes, garages or open small shops.  A 
larger segment of Upholsterers is employed in larger upholstery shops or in 
businesses that have a steady need for upholstery work, such as furniture 
stores, auto repair shops, or department stores.  The work is not dangerous 
but workers must guard against bruises, tool cuts, and back strain from 
lifting.  The work involves standing for long periods, frequent stooping, 
and lifting.  Upholsterers usually furnish their own hand tools.  Some 
belong to one of several labor unions.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment 
published by the Labor Market Information Division

Estimated number of workers in 1993               4,900
Estimated number of workers in 2005               5,930
Projected Growth 1993-2005                          21%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005       650

(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)

Employment prospects for well-qualified Upholsterers are fair as there is 
a shortage of workers who are able to both build quality custom furniture 
and perform repair work.  Applicants who are experienced only in production-
line upholstery may have difficulty entering the custom field without 
retraining.  Marginally qualified workers will experience difficulty in 
obtaining jobs.  The best opportunities are in larger custom shops, most of 
which produce custom furniture to order as well as perform repair work.  
Many of these shops do contract work for department and furniture stores 
that have stopped doing their own upholstery work in-house.  


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

In nonunion shops, entry-level Upholsterers typically earn the minimum wage 
to $10.00 per hour.  Wages increase to between $6.00 and $16.00 per hour at 
the journey-level.  Fringe benefits vary from shop to shop.

Union wages are paid either as a guaranteed hourly rate or on a piece-work 
basis.  The guaranteed rate averages $6.50 to $10.00 per hour, while piece-
rate workers earn an average of $13.00 per hour.  Some highly skilled 
workers may earn up to $20.00 or more per hour on a piece-work basis.  
Union workers are generally covered by employer-paid health insurance and 
pension plans, and are given a two week vacation and nine paid holidays per 
year.  The standard workweek is 40 hours.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

The most common way to enter the upholstering trade is to start as a helper 
in an upholstery shop.  Under the direction of experienced workers, helpers 
learn the upholstering process by doing one or two simple tasks such as 
removing old fabric, padding, or springs.  As helpers acquire experience, 
they move on to more difficult tasks.  The on-the-job training can be 
completed in two to three years if the helper shows initiative and learns 
quickly.

In some parts of the State there are union-employer sponsored formal 
apprenticeship programs that consist of three years of on-the-job training 
supplemented by classroom instruction.  Also, some community colleges and 
adult education schools offer certificate and associate degree upholstery 
programs.


ADVANCEMENT

Promotional opportunities in small shops are limited. Experienced 
Upholsterers with above-average skills and organizational ability may be 
able to obtain higher salaries and be promoted to lead-person or shop 
supervisor in large shops.

Another alternative for experienced Upholsterers is to start their own 
businesses.  A license must be obtained from the Bureau of Home Furnishings 
and Thermal Insulation, part of the State Department of Consumer Affairs, 
prior to opening a furniture upholstery shop.  Competition in the field is 
keen and the successful operation of a shop may prove difficult if the 
Upholsterer lacks management skills in addition to those required to 
perform quality upholstery work.  


FINDING THE JOB

Workers can sometimes find work by contacting local Furniture Workers 
Unions in their community or nearby areas.  Applicants may also register 
for work with the California Employment Development Department. They should 
also apply for work directly to custom shops and businesses that maintain 
their own furniture, such as fine hotels, large department stores, and 
furniture stores.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs
   Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation
3485 Orange Grove Avenue
North Highlands,  CA  95660
(916) 322-4023

Furniture Workers Union 
   AFL-CIO, Local 721 
10015 Rosehill Avenue
Whittier, CA  90601 
(562) 695-0571


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Furniture Finishers               No. 145
Sewing Machine Operators          No. 146

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., 1991)
Automobile Upholsterer        780.381-010
Furniture Upholsterer         780.381-018
Upholsterer, Inside           780.381-038
Upholstery Repairer           780.684-122

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Upholsterers                       895080


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162