Production · SOC 51-6093
Upholstery is intensely physical and tactile — AI has almost no foothold in the hands-on fabrication core of this trade.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: No credible AI threat to core upholstery work in the next decade; demand for skilled restoration may actually grow as consumers seek quality repair over replacement.
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$61,680 median pay
$48,940 median pay
$52,540 median pay
$49,240 median pay
$33,800 median pay
AI job-risk card
Upholsterers is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Upholsterers is 14/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
14 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Generating upholstery cut layout plans digitally, Coordinating fabric selections with design briefs. Harder to automate: Fitting and stapling fabric over complex 3D frames, Rebuilding springs, padding, and webbing by hand, Diagnosing wear and structural defects on site, Shaping cushions and achieving even surface tension.
Lean into Advanced hand tool techniques, Fabric and foam materials knowledge, Customer consultation, Small business operations. Consider roles such as Furniture restoration specialist or Custom trim and interior craftsperson or Upholstery shop owner.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.