SOC 2020 · 5411
Upholsterers
Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations from
Skilled Worker
Not eligible
No Skilled Worker route through this code.
Salary floor
£41,700
The general threshold, £41,700, is the higher of the two.
Shortage lists
Not listed
This code is on neither the Immigration Salary List nor the Temporary Shortage List.
What this occupation actually pays
ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, full-time gross annual pay.
ONS has not published enough of the pay distribution for Upholsterers in UK to draw it. The figures we do hold are shown above.
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | — | — | £27,909 | — | — |
| East Midlands 2025 | — | — | £24,676 | — | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Upholsterers upholster vehicle, aircraft and other seating, fix trimmings to the interiors of vehicles and aircraft, upholster furniture such as chairs and sofas, and make mattresses, curtains and other soft furnishings.
Typical tasks
measures frame to be covered or examines drawings or other specifications and cuts material with shears, knife or scissors
tacks and staples or otherwise secures webbing to furniture frame
pads springs and secures padding by stitching, stapling, tacking, etc.
pins sections of coverings together, joins by sewing and inserts trims, braids and buttons as required and fits upholstery unit to frame
operates machine to compress padded spring assemblies and inserts them into mattress covers
encases bed springs and padding with selected covering material by hand or machine stitching and fits castors where required
replaces covering, padding, webbing or springs to repair upholstered furniture
measures, cuts, pins, sews and trims fabrics to make curtains, cushions, loose covers and similar soft furnishings
Entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic requirements although some employers may require GCSEs/S grades. Training is provided Off and on-the-job. Relevant NVQs/ SVQs are available at level 2 and 3 and apprenticeships at level 2.