• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

2016 Occupational Outlook: Upholstery

September 28, 2016 By Nadeem Muaddi 1 Comment

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Sewing Tuck n Roll

Every year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes an “Occupational Outlook Handbook” for nearly every profession in the United States. This year’s handbook provides some interesting insight on the health of the auto upholstery industry.

Before reviewing the following figures, keep in mind that (1) the bureau combines auto upholstery with general upholstery, which includes furniture; (2) the figures do not include self-employed upholsterers, which is a lot of us; and (3) the information is based on a 2015 survey.

For auto upholstery, the bureau finds:

  • The industry employs 2,500 people
  • The mean hourly wage is $17.43
  • The mean annual wage is $36,260

For upholstery in general, the bureau finds:

  • The industry employs 30,180 people
  • The mean hourly wage is $16.13
  • The mean annual wage is $33,550
  • Projected number of new jobs between 2014-2024: -1,800 (decline)
  • Projected growth rate 2014-2024: -4% (decline)

According to the bureau’s report, the category of upholstery is in decline. However, from the looks of it, that decline is more prominent on the furniture side, where the rise of cheap and disposable goods has reeked havoc on shops.

Also, the mean wages stated only represent shop employees. Auto upholsterers who are self employed earn an average of $55 per hour, according to a 2012 study by Hotrod & Restoration magazine.

Of course, auto upholstery shops aren’t out of the weeds. Our industry is small and, due to a range of factors including a shortage of training programs, is pretty stagnant, if not declining as well.

The question is: What are we going to do about it? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Filed Under: Archive, Employment, Industry Trends & Reports Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel says

    October 6, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    I am currently learning upholstery at San Diego Continuing Education’s Continuing Education Program. The instructor has over 45 years in upholstery and his specialty is automotive. This program has been here for many years, and tuition is free. The Hog Ring may be interested in looking into this program and perhaps even showcasing it.

    The instructor’s name is Ernie Romero.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Top Down Group
Apex Leather
  • Mobile Solution
  • Moore & Giles Ad 1
  • Hyde Leather
  • Albright's Supply
  • GAHH Automotive
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Keyston Bros

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - Roxan Jane of Range Needlework

Meet Roxan Jane of Range Needlework

Thanks to her beautifully crafted motorcycle … [more] about Meet Roxan Jane of Range Needlework

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Tandy Super Skiver

The $20 Skiving Tool Every Trim Shop Needs

Unwilling to drop big bucks on a leather … [more] about The $20 Skiving Tool Every Trim Shop Needs

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Bentley Motors Leather Shop

A Visit to Bentley Motors’ Leather Workshop

We know that Bentley Motors creates some of … [more] about A Visit to Bentley Motors’ Leather Workshop

The Hog Ring - Daniel Williams of DJ Designs Talks Shop

Daniel Williams of DJ Designs Talks Shop

In roughly 10 years, Daniel Williams has gone … [more] about Daniel Williams of DJ Designs Talks Shop

The Hog Ring - How to Make Your Own Hog Ring Pliers

How to Make Your Own Hog Ring Pliers

Lost your hog ring pliers? Ran out of hog … [more] about How to Make Your Own Hog Ring Pliers

The Hog Ring - How to Sew Aston Martin Rapide Diamonds A

How to Sew Aston Martin Rapide Diamonds

Traditional diamond pleats too easy? Try … [more] about How to Sew Aston Martin Rapide Diamonds

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Skoda is Using Olive Tree Leaves to Tan Leather
  • Trim Shop Illegally Growing Marijuana Catches Fire in California
  • Pecca Leather Buys Majority Stake in GMK
  • Subaru is Selling Shopping Bags Made from Airbag Fabric
  • Most Corvette Z06 Models Sold are Convertibles

Recent Comments

  • Richard Owens on Mercedes-Benz SLK: Painting Interior Plastic
  • Richard Owens on Mercedes-Benz SLK: Painting Interior Plastic
  • trollsquirrel on Harley-Davidson on the Nature of Leather
  • Lcol bob hattler on An Old School Spin on Bucket Seats
  • Katrina Rubin on Nissan is Hiring People to Sniff its Interiors

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.
anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in