SOC 5411 Textiles, printing and other skilled trades

Upholsterers Salary

Median salary £26,966 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £27,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For upholsterers, £27,909 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -29% versus the national average.

About this role

Upholsterers cut, shape, pad and cover furniture, vehicle seats and other items with fabric, leather and other materials. They restore, reupholster and create soft furnishings, working with frames, springs, foam and covering materials.

Key responsibilities

Stripping and assessing furniture for reupholstery
Cutting and sewing fabric, leather and covering materials
Applying padding, foam, springs and webbing
Fitting and finishing covers to furniture frames
Restoring antique and period furniture upholstery

Qualifications and entry routes

Apprenticeship or City & Guilds qualifications in upholstery. Many enter through on-the-job training. Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF) membership provides professional recognition.

Career outlook

Sustainability trends and interest in furniture restoration are supporting demand. Bespoke and heritage upholstery are valued specialist skills.

Key skills

Upholstery techniques Sewing and cutting Material selection Restoration skills Manual dexterity

Common industries

Furniture restoration
Bespoke furniture manufacturing
Automotive trim
Marine upholstery
Theatre and film

Data coverage

SOC code 5411

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Median Salary

£26,966

Mean Salary

£26,856

Jobs (000s)

N/A

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

Median: £26,966

P10: --P25: --Median: £27kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Mid Level

£26,966

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +44.8%Real growth: +4.9%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£26,966

Full-time Only

£27,909

Full-time premium: +£943

Upholsterers salary: common questions

How much do upholsterers earn in the UK?

Upholsterers earn a median of £27,909 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £27,909 a good salary in the UK?

For upholsterers, £27,909 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -29% versus the national average.

Have upholsterers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median upholsterers pay has risen from £20,153 to £27,909 — +38% in cash terms, or +0.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).