VISA ATLASWork visas & talent mobility

Upholsterers

Occupation · NOC 2021 63221 · Canada

NOC 2021 code
63221
TEER
3
Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
589
Median wage, Canada
C$22.46 per hour
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
263
NOC63221TEER 3
Year by year
Data as at 2026
OC<CANUPHOLSTERERS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
632210<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

About this occupation

Upholsterers cover furniture, fixtures and similar items with fabric, leather or other upholstery materials. They are employed by furniture, aircraft, motor vehicle and other manufacturing companies, furniture retail outlets and repair shops or they may be self-employed.

Example job titles

  • automobile upholsterer
  • custom upholsterer
  • furniture upholsterer
  • upholsterer
  • upholstery repairer

Main duties

  • This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Discuss upholstery fabric, colour, and style with customers and provide cost estimate for upholstering furniture or other items
  • Lay out, measure and cut upholstery materials according to sketches or design specifications
  • Replace worn-out webbing, springs and other furniture parts using hand and power tools
  • Operate sewing machines or sew upholstery materials by hand to seam cushions and join sections of covering materials
  • Install padding and underlays and fasten covering materials to furniture frames
  • Tack, glue or sew ornamental trim, braids or buttons on upholstered items
  • Lay out, cut, fabricate and install upholstery in aircrafts, motor vehicles, railway cars, boats and ships
  • May repair furniture frames and refinish wood surfaces
  • May make upholstery patterns from sketches, customer descriptions or blueprints

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of college or other specialized courses or an apprenticeship program in furniture upholstering and repair or Several years of on-the-job training, including working as an upholsterer helper are usually required.
  • Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Quebec.

Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)

Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.

Approved positions by year

7114120162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
71141201620182020202220242026
Data table
201621
201727
201845
201956
202013
202174
2022141
2023114
202462
202534
20262
By province or territory
  1. Quebec365
  2. Ontario108
  3. Alberta76
  4. British Columbia39
  5. Nova Scotia1
Employers with the most positions
  1. Meubles BDM + inc.114
  2. Ameublement Elran52
  3. Decor-Rest Furniture Ltd.45
  4. Minhas Furniture House Ltd29
  5. Julien Beaudoin Ltee20
  6. Canadel inc.20
  7. Bombardier Aviation18
  8. TEC Innovation Inc.15
  9. Mobilier Manora Inc.13
  10. AAR Aircraft Services – Trois-Rivières ULC9
  11. Fornirama inc.8
  12. Superior Seating Hospitality Inc.7
  13. Skyline Furniture Ltd.7
  14. Van Gogh Designs Furniture Ltd.7
  15. Entreprises E. F. Arseneault Inc.7
By stream
  1. Low-wage stream (TFWP)455
  2. High-wage stream (TFWP)110
  3. LMIA for permanent residence only3

Work permits

Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).

YearTFWP permitsIMP permits
20261010
2025150
2024700
2023805
2022150
2021400
2020255
20192095
2018550
201650
2015550

All work permits by year

5811520152016201820192020202120222023202420252026
58115201520182020202220242026
Data table
201555
20165
201855
2019115
202030
202140
202215
202385
202470
202515
202620

Permanent residence

Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).

Express Entry invitations since 2015, by programme
  1. Canadian Experience Class20

Wages

Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.

AreaLowMedianHigh
CanadaC$17.99C$22.46C$31.00
ManitobaC$16.00C$19.95C$24.56
OntarioC$18.50C$24.45C$35.00
QuebecC$18.00C$22.00C$27.63
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
263
Vacancies advertised
457
Median advertised minimum hourly wage
C$22.00