Upholsterers
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 65 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the second least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 32% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Read work orders, and apply knowledge and experience with materials to determine types and amounts of materials required to cover workpieces.
AI could do much of this on its own
Draw cutting lines on material following patterns, templates, sketches, or blueprints, using chalk, pencils, paint, or other methods.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Examine furniture frames, upholstery, springs, and webbing to locate defects.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Design upholstery cover patterns and cutting plans, based on sketches, customer descriptions, or blueprints.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Maintain records of time required to perform each job.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staples.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Measure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, following sketches and design specifications.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded surfaces.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Make, restore, or create custom upholstered furniture, using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Stretch webbing and fabric, using webbing stretchers.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Furniture Finishers
Very similar work+2% pay100 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 2% more—$49,439 vs your $48,402 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Manual Dexterity
- Visualization
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Very similar work+24% pay296 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 24% more—$60,021 vs your $48,402 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Visualization
New skills to build
- Building and Construction
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Design
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Similar work+16% pay112 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 16% more—$56,333 vs your $48,402 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Visualization
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Multilimb Coordination
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Similar workslightly less pay31 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$48,321 vs your $48,402 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Finger Dexterity
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Mechanical
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Similar workslightly less pay185 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$46,989 vs your $48,402 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Fine Arts
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Administration and Management
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay116 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$44,721 vs your $48,402 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Visualization
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
Automotive Body and Related Repairers
Somewhat similar work+1% pay859 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 1% more—$49,018 vs your $48,402 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Visualization
- Near Vision
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Transportation
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Repairing
- Engineering and Technology
Carpet Installers
Somewhat similar work+11% pay59 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 11% more—$53,578 vs your $48,402 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Visualization
- Near Vision
- Static Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Mathematics
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Somewhat similar work+3% pay46 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 3% more—$49,618 vs your $48,402 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Carpenters
Somewhat similar work+53% pay4,213 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 53% more—$74,288 vs your $48,402 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Manual Dexterity
- Visualization
- Finger Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics