Best colleges for Leatherworking and Upholstery
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 5 U.S. colleges offering Leatherworking and Upholstery by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 4 states.
Leatherworking and Upholstery programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $18,872 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 48.03 and the Upholsterers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Leatherworking and Upholstery programs
The Leatherworking and Upholstery program focuses on the skills and techniques necessary for crafting and repairing leather goods and upholstered items. This program is ideal for individuals interested in precision production, offering a blend of creativity and technical skills in the use of various materials and tools. Students will learn to create custom furniture and restore existing pieces, making it a perfect fit for those passionate about craftsmanship and design. Participants in this program will explore specializations such as Upholstery/Upholsterer, Shoe, Boot and Leather Repair, and other leatherworking techniques. With a rich history rooted in the use of animal hides for various purposes, this program prepares students for a hands-on career in a unique and artistic field.
Students in the Leatherworking and Upholstery program will gain essential skills in critical thinking, reading comprehension, and effective communication. Coursework covers knowledge in production and processing, design, customer service, and mechanical skills, equipping students with the ability to measure, cut, and fit materials while creating custom upholstered furniture and leather goods.
Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Institucion Chaviano de Mayaguez Mayaguez, PR Private for-profit · Certificate Small program | $18,872 | 10 | 54% | $4,482 | — |
Specializations within Leatherworking and Upholstery
1 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 48.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Show all 3 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Shoe48.0304
- Leatherworking and Upholstery48.0399
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 4 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | $18,872 | Institucion Chaviano de Mayaguez |
| Californialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-6093, Upholsterers, and its national outlook.
Career opportunities in the Leatherworking and Upholstery field include various roles related to upholstery and leather repair. The job outlook shows a decline of 1.8%, with approximately 2,200 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this field is $46,190, and typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent for entry-level roles.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Leatherworking and Upholstery
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 48.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 48.03 (Leatherworking and Upholstery) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 51-6041 | Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers |
| 51-6042 | Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders |
| 51-6093 | Upholsterersprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Leatherworking and Upholstery programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staples.
- Measure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, following sketches and design specifications.
- Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded surfaces.
- Make, restore, or create custom upholstered furniture, using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.
- Read work orders, and apply knowledge and experience with materials to determine types and amounts of materials required to cover workpieces.
- Examine furniture frames, upholstery, springs, and webbing to locate defects.
Common questions
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and hands-on techniques for working with leather and upholstery materials.
What types of jobs can I get after completing this program?+
You can pursue careers as an upholsterer, leather repair specialist, or in other related leatherworking roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.8%, with about 2,200 annual openings.
What is the typical education required for this program?+
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions in this field.
How much do Leatherworking and Upholstery graduates earn?+
Leatherworking and Upholstery graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $18,872, College Scorecard (2019); the Upholsterers occupation pays about $47,340 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Leatherworking and Upholstery?+
Leatherworking and Upholstery maps to CIP 48.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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