California Median
$48,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $46,340
State Rank
#13 of 42
1,640 employed here
How much does an Upholsterer make in California?
Upholsterers in California take home a median of $48,580 annually — roughly $23.36 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $46,340.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,710 while the top 10% make $62,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,240 and $57,200 a year.
Upholsterer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,710 | $18.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $42,240 | $20.31 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,580 | $23.36 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,200 | $27.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,810 | $30.20 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 13th out of 42 states and territories for Upholsterer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Upholsterer salary in other states
Rhode Island $63,360Hawaii $57,390Washington $55,970North Dakota $52,420Connecticut $50,870Georgia $50,760North Carolina $50,600Maryland $50,270Louisiana $49,920Nevada $49,880Delaware $49,860Minnesota $48,810Oregon $48,560Massachusetts $48,380New York $47,320Wisconsin $47,010Indiana $45,080Mississippi $44,930Michigan $44,890Utah $44,590Arkansas $43,660Kansas $43,260Texas $42,930Pennsylvania $42,860New Jersey $42,640Iowa $42,610Illinois $42,450Colorado $42,240Arizona $41,860Kentucky $41,690Montana $41,600Idaho $39,730Ohio $39,420South Carolina $38,880Alabama $38,270Oklahoma $38,020Tennessee $38,020Florida $37,840Virginia $31,950Missouri $29,990Nebraska $29,960
Working as an Upholsterer in California
Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Upholsterers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($48,580) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Upholsterer make in California?
The median Upholsterer salary in California is $48,580 per year, or about $23.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,710 at the entry level to $62,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Upholsterers about 5% more than the national median of $46,340. California ranks 13th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Upholsterers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $48,580 a year. About 1,640 Upholsterers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Upholsterer salary report
Related salaries
$41,330
median pay · 7,000 employed
$42,290
median pay · 33,000 employed
$62,620
median pay · specialist role
$48,110
median pay · 13,000 employed
$50,690
median pay · 169,000 employed
$44,350
median pay · 150,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.