Upholsterer salary in North Carolina
Upholsterers in North Carolina earn a median of $50,600 a year ($24.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,490 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $46,340. North Carolina ranks 7th of 42 states for upholsterers pay. There are 0.82 upholsterers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for upholsterers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| 25th percentile | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Median | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| 75th percentile | $61,950 | $29.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,490 | $35.81 |
| Average (mean) | $53,890 | $25.91 |
Half of upholsterers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,216.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,108.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,946.15 |
| Weekly | $973.08 |
| Hourly | $24.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Upholsterer salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $59,700 | 2,220 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $51,060 | 70 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,040 | 750 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $45,290 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $44,450 | n/a |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,270 | 430 |
Highest-paying states for upholsterers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $63,360 |
| Hawaii | $57,390 |
| Washington | $55,970 |
| North Dakota | $52,420 |
| Connecticut | $50,870 |
| Georgia | $50,760 |
| North Carolina | $50,600 |
| Maryland | $50,270 |
| Louisiana | $49,920 |
| Nevada | $49,880 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sewing Machine Operator | $35,160 | $16.91 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,920 | $15.35 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,700 | $17.64 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $41,260 | $19.84 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $48,180 | $23.17 |
| Sewers, Hand | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,330 | $19.39 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-6093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a upholsterer make in North Carolina?
The median salary for upholsterers in North Carolina is $50,600 a year, or $24.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid upholsterers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of upholsterers in North Carolina earn at least $74,490 a year. The top 25% earn $61,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for upholsterers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,270 a year, and a quarter of upholsterers earn $45,690 or less.
How many upholsterers work in North Carolina?
About 4,050 upholsterers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.