How much does a furniture finisher make?
Answer: A typical furniture finisher in the United States makes $44,540 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 14,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Furniture finisher pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32,160 | $44,540 | $61,020 | about 14,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $49,080 | about 1,000 |
| New York | $48,340 | about 1,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,450 | about 790 |
| Florida | $45,600 | about 1,000 |
| Michigan | $45,260 | about 570 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experienced finishers and those skilled at tricky repairs or antique-style finishes may earn more. Pay also varies by employer, local demand, and hours; most work regular business hours, but schedules can differ.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a furniture finisher do?
Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
What's a typical day like?
They inspect a worn chair, sand away scratches and old coating, and mix stain to match the wood. Then they brush or spray on color and a clear protective sealer, masking areas that must stay untouched.
How to get this job
In the U.S., finish high school or earn a GED, then learn sanding, color matching, and safe coating on the job from experienced workers. Some employers or unions offer apprenticeships; a license or certificate is generally not needed.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and creating.
Did you know?
A furniture finisher can use special ink on metal parts to make them look like wood grain!
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-7021.00
- www.bls.gov/OOH/production/woodworkers.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes517021.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations/listings?occupationCode=51-702
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY