Furniture Finishers
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
Median pay: $44,540/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -3.3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 2,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Furniture Finishers?
The median pay for Furniture Finishers is $44,540 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Furniture Finishers?
Employment for Furniture Finishers is projected to change -3.3% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Furniture Finishers?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Furniture Finishers?
About 2,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.