- Salary statistics
- Upholsterers, seamstresses
Upholsterers, seamstresses
30 800 - 30 900 kr / month
Hantverksyrken
Salary progression Upholsterers, seamstresses
What does an upholsterer, seamstress do? – Tasks and work environment
An upholsterer, seamstress primarily works with reupholstering, repairing, and creating new furniture and interior textiles. Tasks may include replacing padding, sewing covers, repairing seams, and customizing textiles according to customer wishes. The profession requires great precision and a sense of detail, as well as the ability to handle various materials such as fabric, leather, and foam rubber. The work environment varies between small workshops, larger furniture factories, and sometimes customer visits on-site. Tasks can be physically demanding or sedentary, depending on the scope and type of work involved.
Salary development over time
The salary development for upholsterers, seamstresses has been clear over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 26,100 SEK per month, which increased to 30 000 SEK in 2023. A further increase has occurred to 30 900 SEK in 2024, representing approximately 18% growth over the period. This positive trend can partly be attributed to increased demand for specialized craftsmanship and a general rise in interest in sustainable consumption and reuse. At the same time, skill requirements and the complexity of the profession have grown, which may also drive wages upward. The market demand for skilled upholsterers and seamstresses remains stable, although wage levels continue to be moderate within craft trades.
Upholsterer, seamstress salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 30 900 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data not available
- Hourly wage: 186 SEK
- Gender differences: Data not available
- Regional differences: Data not available
Education and qualifications
To work as an upholsterer, seamstress, a typical requirement is a vocational upper secondary education in craftsmanship, preferably with a focus on furniture upholstery or textiles. Practical experience is highly valuable, and many combine education with apprenticeships or internships with established upholsterers. There are also opportunities to deepen knowledge through further training or specialized courses in textiles and furniture restoration.
- Vocational upper secondary education: Crafts program, 3 years
- Further training: Specialized courses in furniture upholstery/textiles
- Internship/Apprenticeship: Recommended to gain practical skills
- Prerequisites: Approved grades from compulsory school
- Certifications: May be available for specialized areas
Upholsterers and seamstresses often combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques and material choices. Many professionals develop their own specialties, such as antique restoration or designing unique furniture, which opens opportunities for creativity and variety in their workday.
Common benefits and compensations
Common benefits for upholsterers, seamstresses include wellness allowances, work clothes, and opportunities for further training and skill development through the employer. Many workplaces also offer flexitime or individually adapted working hours, especially in smaller workshops. In some cases, bonuses or commissions may be available for large or extensive projects.
Competition and challenges
The profession as an upholsterer, seamstress is characterized by competition from both large furniture companies and low-cost imports of finished furniture and textiles. One of the biggest challenges is maintaining profitability in a craft where the time required is often high and material costs can vary. Additionally, continuous updating of knowledge regarding new materials and techniques is necessary. Technological developments and changing consumption patterns mean professionals need to be flexible and adaptable to meet customer demands. Despite these challenges, there remains a stable demand for unique, custom-made solutions and restoration of older furniture, giving the profession a special niche.
Tips for those wanting to become an upholsterer, seamstress
To succeed as an upholsterer, seamstress, it’s good to have a genuine interest in craftsmanship and a lot of patience, as the work often requires precision and attention to detail. Being creative and having an eye for form and color provides advantages in creating attractive and functional solutions for customers. It’s also important to be persistent and flexible, as projects can vary greatly in scope and difficulty. Developing problem-solving skills helps during unexpected challenges, and good teamwork skills are valuable when working in teams or with clients. Finally, always be open to learning new techniques and networking within the industry to find inspiration and new opportunities.
Key facts about upholsterers, seamstresses
- Educational level: Vocational upper secondary education (3 years)
- Work environment: Workshop, furniture factory, or customer site
- Work form: Often project-based and varied
- Demand: 341 available jobs within the profession
- Special skills: Textile and furniture restoration
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as an upholsterer, seamstress, opportunities exist to specialize further, for example in antique restoration, designing unique furniture, or starting your own business. For those interested in leadership, supervisory roles within larger companies are possible. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts, there is no specific assessment for the profession due to limited data, but 341 job openings are reported, indicating some demand. Future prospects may vary regionally and depending on economic conditions, but craft trades like this have a stable niche thanks to sustainability trends and increased interest in reuse.
Common questions about upholsterers, seamstresses
- What does an upholsterer, seamstress earn?
- An average monthly salary is 30 900, with an hourly wage of 186 SEK. - What education is required to become an upholsterer, seamstress?
- Usually, a vocational upper secondary education in craftsmanship, preferably with a focus on furniture upholstery or textiles. - Are there many job openings in the profession?
- The profession reports 341 available jobs according to the latest data. - What work environments are common?
- Upholsterers, seamstresses often work in workshops, furniture factories, or visit clients on-site. - What are the future prospects for upholsterers, seamstresses?
- No specific forecast, but craft trades generally have stable demand within niche areas. - What personal qualities are important in the profession?
- Attention to detail, patience, creativity, and good problem-solving skills are especially valuable. - Can I further my education within the profession?
- Yes, there are specialized courses and further training in textiles, furniture upholstery, and design.
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 Upholsterers, seamstresses has the SSYK code 7533, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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