Upholsterers Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Upholsterers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC make a median of $49,500 a year, or about $23.8 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $72K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $50,733 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,711/month — about 49.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $50K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About upholsterers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level upholsterers (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $72K or more - a $37K spread from bottom to top.
Upholsterers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $57K | +23% | 80 |
| New Jersey | $55K | +20% | 290 |
| Washington | $52K | +12% | 400 |
| North Dakota | $51K | +11% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $51K | +11% | 40 |
| North Carolina | $50K | +9% | 3,860 |
| Iowa | $50K | +8% | 70 |
| Maryland | $50K | +7% | 60 |
| Georgia | $49K | +6% | 900 |
| New York | $49K | +6% | 530 |
| California | $48K | +4% | 1,880 |
| Massachusetts | $47K | +2% | 200 |
| Mississippi | $47K | +2% | 2,480 |
| South Carolina | $46K | -0% | N/A |
| Delaware | $46K | -0% | 30 |
Track upholsterers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do upholsterers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $49,500 a year - that works out to about $23.8 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,960, and experienced upholsterers can clear $72,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,299/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 51.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a upholsterers salary go in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median upholsterers salary is worth about $50,733 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do upholsterers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.