Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
Furniture Finishers
SOC: 51-7021 O*NET: 51-7021.00
Median Salary
$42,530
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
What does a Furniture Finishers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,200
10th percentile
Early Career
$36,770
25th percentile
Median
$42,530
50th percentile
Experienced
$49,020
75th percentile
Top Earners
$59,820
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,200
25th
$36,770
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$42,530
Mean: $44,310
75th
$49,020
90th
$59,820
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $28,620 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $36,770 and $49,020
- •Salary spread is 28.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 14,230 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:20,500
Top Industries
Manufacturing71.3%
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing68.7%
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only)68.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.3%
Annual Openings:2,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)20,500
Current
2034 (Projected)19,800
-3.3%
-700
Employment Change
-3.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Furniture Finishers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 42 locations
Florida
1,300 jobs$45,8001.43x
Indiana
1,260 jobs$46,3004.27x
Texas
1,220 jobs$40,1600.96x
California
920 jobs$46,0600.55x
North Carolina
880 jobs$39,1001.95x
Pennsylvania
850 jobs$42,0901.53x
New York
690 jobs$44,7600.78x
Tennessee
570 jobs$31,1701.87x
Arizona
530 jobs$38,1101.79x
Michigan
440 jobs$45,7701.09x
Washington
430 jobs$43,3201.32x
Ohio
340 jobs$45,3500.66x
Missouri
340 jobs$43,6801.25x
Georgia
340 jobs$36,8600.76x
Minnesota
330 jobs$48,3701.22x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Production and Processing
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
100%
#3
Near Vision
100%
#4
Visual Color Discrimination
92%
#5
Monitoring
90%
#6
Arm-Hand Steadiness
82%
#7
Active Listening
80%
#8
Manual Dexterity
74%
#9
Time Management
70%
#10
Control Precision
66%
Skills Overview
Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced5.0
100%
Visual Color Discrimination
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
advanced4.5
90%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediate4.1
82%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Manual Dexterity
intermediate3.7
74%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Production and Processing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Visual Color Discrimination
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance90%
skills
4.5/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Manual Dexterity
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Control Precision
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Visualization
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Crane and Tower Operators78%
5 shared skills
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer78%
5 shared skills
Bailiffs75%
5 shared skills
Model Makers, Wood75%
5 shared skills
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers71%
5 shared skills
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Production and Processing
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Speaking
- →Control Precision
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Near Vision
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Near Vision
- ★Visual Color Discrimination
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Furniture Finishers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Office software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Planning & Development (3)
1
Mix finish ingredients to obtain desired colors or shades.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Brush, spray, or hand-rub finishing ingredients, such as paint, oil, stain, or wax, onto and into wood grain and apply lacquer or other sealers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Smooth, shape, and touch up surfaces to prepare them for finishing, using sandpaper, pumice stones, steel wool, chisels, sanders, or grinders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Select appropriate finishing ingredients such as paint, stain, lacquer, shellac, or varnish, depending on factors such as wood hardness and surface type.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Fill and smooth cracks or depressions, remove marks and imperfections, and repair broken parts, using plastic or wood putty, glue, nails, or screws.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Distress surfaces with woodworking tools or abrasives before staining to create an antique appearance, or rub surfaces to bring out highlights and shadings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Examine furniture to determine the extent of damage or deterioration, and to decide on the best method for repair or restoration.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Paint metal surfaces electrostatically, or by using a spray gun or other painting equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Recommend woods, colors, finishes, and furniture styles, using knowledge of wood products, fashions, and styles.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Remove old finishes and damaged or deteriorated parts, using hand tools, stripping tools, sandpaper, steel wool, abrasives, solvents, or dip baths.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Furniture Finishers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Furniture Finishers professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Furniture Finishers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.57
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.10
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.09
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.85
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.80
Innovation
ImportantInnovation
Importance Level3.76
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.1
Cooperation
4.1
Persistence
3.9
Independence
3.8
Innovation
3.8
Initiative
3.8
Concern for Others
3.7
Integrity
3.7
Leadership
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Furniture Finishers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Furniture Finishers
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
2.3k program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Houston
Houston, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
984 program completions/year
South Florida Institute of Technology
Miami, FL
891 program completions/year
SOWELA Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA
870 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
821 program completions/year
Refrigeration School Inc
Phoenix, AZ
781 program completions/year
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
731 program completions/year
River Parishes Community College
Gonzales, LA
695 program completions/year
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
679 program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
601 program completions/year