Rankings β†’ Will AI Replace…

Will AI Replace Upholsterers?

43/100 β€” Elevated
SOC 51-6093

πŸ’‘ Upholsterers have a composite risk score of 43/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 39%, GenAI exposure: 44/100). With 20,990 workers in the US, this occupation faces moderate but manageable AI pressure. Full occupation profile β†’

🎯 The Verdict

Possible. Significant task automation is underway β€” workers should actively upskill.

With 20,990 workers and a median wage of $46K,upholsterers represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 44%, meaning a minority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.

Risk Score

43/100

Employment

20,990

Median Wage

$46K

GenAI Exposure

44%

⚠️ Top Risk Factors

1.

Smart factory scheduling and production optimization

2.

Predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles

3.

Cobots handling repetitive material handling tasks

4.

Automated CNC programming and machine operation

πŸ›‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace

βœ“

Setup and calibration of custom production runs

βœ“

Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection

βœ“

Troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions

βœ“

Coordinating workflow across diverse production teams

πŸ”„ Career Transition Paths

Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:

Engineers

51% skills overlap Β· $106K median wage

20/100

First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

61% skills overlap Β· $62K median wage

25/100

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

80% skills overlap Β· $68K median wage

33/100

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI completely replace upholsterers?

Possible. Significant task automation is underway β€” workers should actively upskill.

What is the AI risk score for upholsterers?

Upholsterers have a composite AI automation risk score of 43 out of 100, classified as "Elevated".

How many upholsterers are there in the US?

There are approximately 20,990 upholsterers employed in the United States.

What do upholsterers earn?

The median annual wage for upholsterers is $46K.

What skills should upholsterers develop?

Focus on tasks AI can't easily replicate: setup and calibration of custom production runs, quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection, troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions, coordinating workflow across diverse production teams. These human-centric skills will become more valuable as routine tasks are automated.