- Salary statistics
- Furniture upholstery
Furniture upholstery
30 800 - 30 900 kr / month
Hantverksyrken
Salary progression Furniture upholstery
What does a furniture upholsterer do? – Tasks and work environment
Furniture upholsterers work with reupholstering, repairing, and restoring furniture using various padding techniques. Tasks include replacing fabric, substituting padding materials, repairing springs, and mounting new details such as buttons and ribbons. The work requires great dexterity, precision, and a sense of quality, as each piece of furniture often demands an individual assessment of materials and techniques. The work environment varies between small workshops, larger interior design companies, and sometimes on-site at the customer’s location. Depending on the assignment, the work can be both physically demanding and creatively challenging, with a focus on craftsmanship and traditional techniques.
Wage development over time
The salary for furniture upholsterers has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 26,100 SEK per month, which increased to 30 000 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average monthly salary has continued to rise and is now at 30 900 SEK. The total increase from 2022 to 2024 amounts to approximately 18%, which is slightly higher than many other craft professions during the same period. This positive trend may be linked to increased interest in sustainable consumption, where more people choose to renovate and preserve furniture instead of buying new. At the same time, demand for skilled craftsmen has grown, contributing to upward pressure on wages in the field.
Furniture upholsterer salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 30 900 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data unavailable
- Hourly wage: 186 SEK
- Gender differences: Data unavailable
- Regional differences: Data unavailable
Education and qualifications
To work as a furniture upholsterer, a vocational education focusing on upholstery or furniture restoration is usually required. It is also possible to enter the profession through apprenticeships or practical experience, where knowledge is passed on from experienced colleagues. Formal education options include vocational programs at upper secondary schools, but adult education and private courses are also available in many locations.
- Formal education: Vocational program with upholstery specialization (3 years)
- Courses/certification: Furniture upholstery via vocational training or folk high schools
- Practical training: Apprenticeship with an established upholsterer or furniture restorer
- Prerequisites: Passing grades in basic subjects, interest in craftsmanship
- Tips for choosing: Experience with sewing and material knowledge is advantageous
Many furniture upholsterers also work on recreating historic furniture using traditional techniques, making the profession an important link between traditional craftsmanship and modern interior design.
Common benefits and compensations
In addition to the base salary, furniture upholsterers often receive benefits such as wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes flexible working hours. Larger companies or interior design firms may also offer insurance and pension contributions. Self-employed professionals in the field have the opportunity to influence their compensation models and working conditions.
Competition and challenges
The job market for furniture upholsterers is relatively niche, which means competition for permanent positions can be significant, especially in certain regions. A challenge for the profession is that skills are often tied to experience and craftsmanship, making it difficult for newly trained workers to establish themselves quickly. Additionally, economic fluctuations and changing consumer patterns can affect demand. Digitalization and e-commerce have also changed how customers find and hire upholsterers, requiring new marketing strategies. Despite this, opportunities exist within specialized areas such as antique restoration and sustainable interior design, where expertise is in high demand.
Tips for aspiring furniture upholsterers
To succeed as a furniture upholsterer, it’s important to combine an eye for detail with a genuine interest in craftsmanship. Patience is crucial, as the work often demands meticulousness and precision both during repairs and new creations. Creativity helps when unexpected challenges arise, especially during the restoration of older furniture with unique needs. Flexibility facilitates working with various materials and techniques, while good communication skills make it easier to understand customer wishes. Early internships and building a network in the industry increase chances of employment, and a willingness to continually learn new methods strengthens long-term development in the profession.
Key facts about furniture upholsterers
- Education level: Vocational school (crafts program) or equivalent vocational training
- Work environment: Workshop, interior design company, or at the customer’s location
- Work form: Employed or self-employed
- Demand: 341 job openings within the profession in Sweden
Career paths and outlook
After three to five years in the profession, a furniture upholsterer can advance to more specialized roles, such as antique restorer or workshop manager. Some choose to start their own business in furniture restoration, while others may work in education or consulting within interior projects. According to forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service, there is limited data for a comprehensive assessment of future prospects for upholsterers. Nevertheless, the number of job openings indicates stable demand for skills, especially in urban areas and regions with many interior design firms. The industry is influenced by trends in sustainable consumption, which may create increased opportunities for those who are flexible and develop their expertise in new materials and techniques.
Frequently asked questions about furniture upholsterers
- What does a furniture upholsterer earn?
- The average monthly salary is 30 900 SEK, with an hourly rate of 186 SEK. - What education is required to become a furniture upholsterer?
- A vocational education in crafts, or equivalent vocational training, is most common. - What is the job market like for furniture upholsterers?
- Currently, there are 341 job openings in the profession in Sweden. - What are the job responsibilities of a furniture upholsterer?
- Responsibilities include reupholstering furniture, replacing padding, repairing springs, and restoring older furniture. - Are there salary differences between regions?
- Regional salary differences exist, but specific data for this profession is lacking. - What personal qualities are important for a furniture upholsterer?
- Attention to detail, patience, and creativity are particularly valuable in the profession.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30800 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30800 kr | 30900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30800 kr | 30900 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Furniture upholstery has the SSYK code 7533, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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