Furniture finishers
SOC Code: 51-7021Also known as:
Antique Finisher, Antique Refinisher, Antiquer, Cabinet Finisher, Caner
Median Annual Salary
$42,530
-3.3% growth (2024-2034)
2K
Openings/Year
21K
Current Jobs
What Furniture finishers Do
Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
💰 Salary
$42,530
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-3.3%
Decline
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
2K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
20,500
Projected Employment (2034)
19,800
Related Careers
Upholsterers
$46,190 •
-1.8% growth
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters
$46,020 •
-1.6% growth
Grinding and polishing workers, hand
$41,690 •
-21.2% growth
Painting, coating, and decorating workers
$40,860 •
+1.4% growth
Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
$45,690 •
+6.2% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Speaking
Operations Monitoring
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Fill and smooth cracks or depressions, remove marks and imperfections, and repair broken parts, using plastic or wood putty, glue, nails, or screws.
- Smooth, shape, and touch up surfaces to prepare them for finishing, using sandpaper, pumice stones, steel wool, chisels, sanders, or grinders.
- Remove accessories prior to finishing, and mask areas that should not be exposed to finishing processes or substances.
- Remove old finishes and damaged or deteriorated parts, using hand tools, stripping tools, sandpaper, steel wool, abrasives, solvents, or dip baths.
- Treat warped or stained surfaces to restore original contours and colors.
- Select appropriate finishing ingredients such as paint, stain, lacquer, shellac, or varnish, depending on factors such as wood hardness and surface type.
- Mix finish ingredients to obtain desired colors or shades.
- Remove excess solvent, using cloths soaked in paint thinner.
- Examine furniture to determine the extent of damage or deterioration, and to decide on the best method for repair or restoration.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Furniture finishers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a furniture finishers:
Furniture Design and Manufacturing
70 degrees awarded •
8 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Furniture finishers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become furniture finishers.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island School of Design | Providence, RI | 39 | B+ |
| 2 | North Bennet Street School | Boston, MA | 22 | C+ |
| 3 | Northcentral Technical College | Wausau, WI | 1 | C+ |
| 4 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | 1 | C+ |
| 5 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design | Boston, MA | 1 | C+ |
| 6 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | C+ |
| 7 | California College of the Arts | San Francisco, CA | 2 | C |
| 8 | Villa Maria College | Buffalo, NY | 3 | D |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do furniture finishers make?
The median annual salary for furniture finishers is $42,530.
What education do furniture finishers need?
Most furniture finishers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Furniture Design and Manufacturing.
Is becoming furniture finishers a good career choice?
Furniture finishers is projected to see -3.3% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 2,000 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for furniture finishers?
Top colleges for aspiring furniture finishers include
Rhode Island School of Design, North Bennet Street School, Northcentral Technical College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to furniture finishers?
Furniture finishers may also be known as: Antique Finisher, Antique Refinisher, Antiquer, Cabinet Finisher, Caner, Chair Finisher, Finish Patcher, Finish Repair Worker, Finish Sprayer, Finisher, Frame Repairer, Furniture Assembly Technician (Furniture Assembly Tech), Furniture Builder, Furniture Finisher, Furniture Installer, Furniture Maker, Furniture Polisher, Furniture Refinisher, Furniture Repair Technician, Furniture Repairer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.