Upholsterer salary in Tennessee
Upholsterers in Tennessee earn a median of $38,020 a year ($18.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,610 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $46,340. Tennessee ranks 38th of 42 states for upholsterers pay. There are 0.14 upholsterers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for upholsterers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| 25th percentile | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Median | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| 75th percentile | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Average (mean) | $41,400 | $19.91 |
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 | $3,168.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,584.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,462.31 |
| Weekly | $731.15 |
| Hourly | $18.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Upholsterer salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $47,960 | 80 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $39,940 | 60 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $33,220 | $15.97 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $29,460 | $14.17 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $33,550 | $16.13 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,310 | $31.40 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for upholsterers in Tennessee is $38,020 a year, or $18.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid upholsterers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of upholsterers in Tennessee earn at least $50,610 a year. The top 25% earn $48,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for upholsterers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,580 a year, and a quarter of upholsterers earn $36,670 or less.
How many upholsterers work in Tennessee?
About 460 upholsterers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.