Money · 1 of 5
What upholsterers make
Experienced upholsterer
$47,000
Shop helper
$37,000
Custom or auto specialist, or owner
$64,000
Job Bank's national median is $22.46 an hour, about $47,000 a year full time. The low is $17.99 and the high is $31 an hour. Auto, marine and aircraft interior work pays at the top. Owners of a busy custom shop can earn more, with the usual small-business risk.