Upholsterers

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staples.88
• Measure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, following sketches and design specifications.87
• Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded surfaces.86
• Make, restore, or create custom upholstered furniture, using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.84
• Read work orders, and apply knowledge and experience with materials to determine types and amounts of materials required to cover workpieces.84
• Draw cutting lines on material following patterns, templates, sketches, or blueprints, using chalk, pencils, paint, or other methods.82
• Stretch webbing and fabric, using webbing stretchers.81
• Examine furniture frames, upholstery, springs, and webbing to locate defects.80
• Adjust or replace webbing, padding, or springs, and secure them in place.80
• Operate sewing machines or sew upholstery by hand to seam cushions and join various sections of covering material.80
• Sew rips or tears in material, or create tufting, using needles and thread.78
• Remove covering, webbing, padding, or defective springs from workpieces, using hand tools such as hammers and tack pullers.77

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Critical Thinking63

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Reading Comprehension53

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Active Learning50

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

• Active Listening50

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Complex Problem Solving50

  Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Judgment and Decision Making50

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Monitoring50

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Speaking50

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Time Management50

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Operations Monitoring47

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Service Orientation47

  Actively looking for ways to help people.

• Social Perceptiveness47

  Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Production and Processing52

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Design51

  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• Customer and Personal Service47

  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Mechanical45

  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• Education and Training43

  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• Mathematics41

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Building and Construction35

  Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

• Personnel and Human Resources30

  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

• Administration and Management29

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• English Language26

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Public Safety and Security22

  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• Sales and Marketing22

  Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Arm-Hand Steadiness75

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Finger Dexterity75

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Manual Dexterity75

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Near Vision72

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Control Precision69

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Multilimb Coordination69

  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

• Visual Color Discrimination69

  The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

• Visualization66

  The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

• Problem Sensitivity56

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

• Written Comprehension56

  The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• Extent Flexibility53

  The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

• Information Ordering53

  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Handling and Moving Objects75

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials72

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Getting Information71

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Performing General Physical Activities68

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information66

  Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems66

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People64

  Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

• Thinking Creatively63

  Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events62

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work62

  Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others58

  Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings57

  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Attention to Detail74

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Dependability66

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Cautiousness37

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Perseverance36

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Achievement Orientation27

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Integrity26

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Innovation22

  A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

• Self-Confidence19

  A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

• Initiative14

  A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

• Stress Tolerance14

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Adaptability13

  A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

• Intellectual Curiosity11

  A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic97

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Artistic32

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

• Conventional32

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Investigative14

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

• Social6

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Enterprising0

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

  • Continually or almost continually89%
  • More than half the time11%

• Spend Time Standing

  • Continually or almost continually80%
  • More than half the time11%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important48%
  • Very important37%
  • Important15%

• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

  • Continually or almost continually50%
  • More than half the time28%
  • Less than half the time14%

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

  • Every day57%
  • Once a month or more but not every week20%
  • Never15%

• Time Pressure

  • Every day39%
  • Once a week or more but not every day23%
  • Once a month or more but not every week31%

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

  • Every day48%
  • Once a week or more but not every day22%
  • Once a year or more but not every month23%

• Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

  • Continually or almost continually40%
  • More than half the time19%
  • About half the time23%
  • Less than half the time18%

• Level of Competition

  • Extremely competitive34%
  • Highly competitive19%
  • Moderately competitive35%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others48%
  • Contact with others most of the time11%
  • Occasional contact with others34%

• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

  • A lot of freedom32%
  • Some freedom20%
  • Very little freedom11%

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

  • Every day62%
  • Once a year or more but not every month12%
  • Never26%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Less than high school diploma

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Presentation software

  Microsoft PowerPoint

• Accounting software

  Intuit QuickBooks

• Office suite software

  Microsoft Office software

• Operating system software

  Microsoft Windows

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

• Computer aided design CAD software

  Autodesk AutoCAD

• Process mapping and design software

  LibreOffice Draw

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• American Home Furnishings Alliance
• International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Furniture Finishers
• Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
• Tailors, Dressmakers, and Sewers
• Shoe and leather workers
• Sewing Machine Operators
• Carpet, Floor, and Tile Installers and Finishers
• Crushing, Grinding, Polishing, Mixing, and Blending Workers
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
• Painting Workers
• Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
• Miscellaneous metal workers and plastic workers, including multiple machine tool setters
• Shoe and leather workers
• Cutting Workers
• Carpenters
• Miscellaneous woodworkers, including model makers and patternmakers
• Automotive Body and Related Repairers
• Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
• Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
• Cut fabrics.
• Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
• Assemble garments or textile products.
• Repair furniture or upholstery.
• Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
• Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
• Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.
• Sew clothing or other articles.
• Examine condition of property or products.
• Operate sewing equipment.

Registered apprenticeship program titles associated with this occupation.

• Automobile Upholsterer
• Furniture Upholsterer
• Upholsterer
• Upholsterer, Inside