Furniture finishers apply finishes to wood products, such as stains and lacquers, to enhance and protect the surface. They may also do tasks like sanding, staining, and sealing furniture pieces. This profession requires knowledge of various finishing techniques, safety procedures, and the ability to work with different types of tools and equipment.
This income data is sourced from the May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. The dataset is updated annually.
Annual Pay Distribution | Salary |
---|---|
10th percentile | $37,030.00 |
25th percentile | $43,270.00 |
median (50th percentile) | $57,600.00 |
75th percentile | $57,990.00 |
90th percentile | $86,370.00 |
Hourly Pay Distribution | Hourly Rate |
---|---|
10th percentile | $17.81 |
25th percentile | $20.81 |
median (50th percentile) | $27.69 |
75th percentile | $27.88 |
90th percentile | $41.53 |
Furniture Finishers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the field. While formal education beyond high school is not always required, vocational schools and community colleges offer relevant programs in woodworking, furniture making, or finishing techniques that can be beneficial for aspiring Furniture Finishers. These programs provide fundamental knowledge of wood properties, finishing materials, tools, techniques, and safety procedures. Apprenticeships are also common in this field, offering hands-on training under experienced craftsmen to develop skills in finishing furniture surfaces, applying stains and finishes, repairing damaged furniture, and using various tools like brushes, sprayers, and sanders. Training for Furniture Finishers usually involves a combination of on-the-job experience, apprenticeships, and formal education programs. Those entering the field often start as helpers or apprentices under experienced Finishers to learn the craft firsthand. Through practical training, they acquire skills in surface preparation, staining, sealing, and finishing techniques specific to different types of wood and furniture pieces. Additionally, they gain proficiency in using various tools and equipment essential for the job, such as spray guns, brushes, sanders, and polishing tools. This comprehensive training equips Furniture Finishers with the expertise needed to produce high-quality finished furniture pieces.