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Furniture finisher: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$44,540median pay per year, or $21.41 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $32,160lowest 10% earn less
  2. $37,67025th percentile
  3. $44,540median
  4. $49,73075th percentile
  5. $61,020top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

A furniture finisher made a median of $44,540 a year in May 2025[1], a bit under the median for all occupations[2]. The number of jobs is projected to shrink 3.5% from 2025 to 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-3.5%[3]
Openings per year
1,500[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do furniture finishers make?

The median furniture finisher earned $44,540 a year, or $21.41 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $45,300 a year, or $21.78 an hour[7]. For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980[2].

Pay varies a lot within the job. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $32,160 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $61,020[4]. By the hour, those two boundaries were $15.46 and $29.34[8]. A percentile is a boundary, not a starting salary. BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].

Measure Annual Hourly
25th percentile[4][8] $37,670 $18.11
Median[1] $44,540 $21.41
75th percentile[4][8] $49,730 $23.91

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or benefits[10]. About 14,480 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 43 states with published data, Connecticut had the highest median at $59,830, followed by Massachusetts at $56,300 and New Hampshire at $56,050[12]. Tennessee had the lowest at $32,160[12]. Florida had the most jobs at 1,470, then Indiana at 1,280 and California at 1,010[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Providence-Warwick, RI-MA had the highest median at $61,940[14]. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH came next at $56,300[14]. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI followed at $51,070[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs at 870, with a median of $50,020[15].

Show median pay in 43 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Connecticut[12]$59,83090
Massachusetts$56,300340
New Hampshire$56,05030
Colorado$50,000170
California$49,0801,010
Minnesota$48,640340
New York$48,3401,000
Illinois$47,600170
Pennsylvania$47,450790
Vermont$47,28030
Nevada$46,980190
Iowa$46,53070
Ohio$46,290190
Missouri$46,220410
Florida$45,6001,470
Maine$45,56080
Nebraska$45,54080
Michigan$45,260570
Utah$45,160250
Maryland$43,88060
South Carolina$43,310120
Indiana$43,2201,280
Wisconsin$43,180260
Washington$42,990360
Kentucky$42,95050
Oregon$42,760190
West Virginia$41,600100
New Mexico$41,29050
North Carolina$39,920950
Arizona$39,660410
Idaho$39,510160
Kansas$39,450200
South Dakota$39,340110
Arkansas$39,14030
Louisiana$38,92050
Georgia$38,880290
Mississippi$38,430130
Virginia$38,020230
New Jersey$37,690260
Oklahoma$37,19030
Texas$36,350980
Alabama$34,950190
Tennessee$32,160620

How to become a furniture finisher

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education, with no related work experience needed[6].

The same wider profile says some entry-level jobs can be learned in a month or less, while full skill may take several months to more than a year[18]. It also says some employers prefer candidates with a few vocational-technical or college courses[19]. Some workers train through apprenticeships offered by employers or unions[20]. Certifications are not required, but they can show competence[21].

In an O*NET survey of 25 workers, 61% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required and 36% said less than a high school diploma[22]. The training details above come from a profile that covers a wider group than furniture finishers[16].

What furniture finishers do

Furniture finishers shape, finish and refinish damaged or worn furniture, as well as new high-grade pieces[23]. Typical tasks include:

Job titles reported by workers include finish repair worker, hand sander, lacquer sprayer and sealer sander[25].

Where they work

The following comes from the BLS profile for woodworkers, a wider group[16]. About 42% of woodworkers worked in furniture and related product manufacturing in 2025[26]. Conditions vary. Workers sometimes handle heavy, bulky materials and may meet noise and dust, so they often use ear protection, eye protection and breathing masks[27]. The profile also names chemicals and fumes as hazards[28]. Most woodworkers are full time and keep regular business hours, though schedules vary for some[29].

About 9.7% of furniture finishers were self-employed in 2025[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of furniture finishers to fall 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 15,900 to 15,300 jobs[3]. Employment across all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[31]. Projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the OEWS job count[3].

Even so, about 1,500 openings are projected each year[5]. Openings come from workers who leave the field as well as from new jobs[5]. Each year, 4.9% of workers leave the labor force and 4.8% move to a different occupation[32].

Is it a good fit?

The facts suggest a job with a low barrier to entry. It asks for a high school diploma or equivalent, no related experience and short-term training[6]. Median pay sits somewhat below the all-occupations median, but the top 10% earned more than $61,020[2][4]. The job count is projected to shrink[3], though turnover still creates openings each year[5]. Dust, noise and fumes are part of the wider woodworking field, which may matter to some readers[27][28].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[33].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a furniture finisher make an hour?
The median was $21.41 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $15.46 and the 90th was $29.34[1][8].
What education do you need to be a furniture finisher?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with short-term on-the-job training[6].
Is furniture finishing in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, but about 1,500 openings a year are expected[3][5].
Which state pays furniture finishers the most?
Connecticut had the highest median at $59,830, ahead of Massachusetts at $56,300[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Furniture Finishers in the US was $44,540 per year and $21.41 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Furniture Finishers is projected to decline 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 15,900 to 15,300 jobs (a change of -600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Furniture Finishers: 10th percentile $32,160, 25th percentile $37,670, 75th percentile $49,730, 90th percentile $61,020. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,500 openings for Furniture Finishers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Furniture Finishers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Furniture Finishers was $45,300 per year and $21.78 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Furniture Finishers: 10th percentile $15.46, 25th percentile $18.11, 75th percentile $23.91, 90th percentile $29.34. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 14,480 people were employed as Furniture Finishers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Furniture Finishers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Furniture Finishers jobs: Florida 1,470; Indiana 1,280; California 1,010; New York 1,000; Texas 980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Furniture Finishers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $61,940; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $56,300; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $51,070; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $50,760; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $50,020; Elkhart-Goshen, IN $48,030; Fort Wayne, IN $48,000; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $47,660. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Furniture Finishers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 870 (median $50,020); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 560 (median $47,660); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 450 (median $46,710); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 350 (median $36,080); Elkhart-Goshen, IN 310 (median $48,030); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 310 (median $39,660). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Woodworkers" covers Furniture Finishers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 51-7021.00 survey of workers (25 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 61%, Less than a High School Diploma 36% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET description of Furniture Finishers. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Furniture Finishers. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 51-7021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Finish Repair Worker, Finisher, Furniture Finisher, Hand Sander, Lacquer Sprayer, Sander, Sealer Sander, Sprayer. O*NET OnLine
  26. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of woodworkers in 2025: Furniture and related product manufacturing 42%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections: 9.7% of Furniture Finishers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Furniture Finishers: 4.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.