How much does a furniture finisher make?
The median furniture finisher in the United States earns $44,540 per year, about $21.41 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all furniture finishers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-7021.
Furniture finisher salary range
Pay for furniture finishers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $32,160 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $61,020. The average (mean) wage of $45,300 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,160 | $15.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,670 | $18.11 | |
| Median (50th) | $44,540 | $21.41 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,730 | $23.91 | |
| 90th percentile | $61,020 | $29.34 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for furniture finishers (SOC 51-7021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Furniture finisher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Furniture finishers earn the most in Connecticut at $59,830 a year, and the least in Tennessee at $32,160. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $59,830 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $56,300 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $56,050 | 30 |
| Colorado | $50,000 | 170 |
| California | $49,080 | 1,010 |
| Minnesota | $48,640 | 340 |
| New York | $48,340 | 1,000 |
| Illinois | $47,600 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,450 | 790 |
| Vermont | $47,280 | 30 |
| Nevada | $46,980 | 190 |
| Iowa | $46,530 | 70 |
| Ohio | $46,290 | 190 |
| Missouri | $46,220 | 410 |
| Florida | $45,600 | 1,470 |
| Maine | $45,560 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $45,540 | 80 |
| Michigan | $45,260 | 570 |
| Utah | $45,160 | 250 |
| Maryland | $43,880 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $43,310 | 120 |
| Indiana | $43,220 | 1,280 |
| Wisconsin | $43,180 | 260 |
| Washington | $42,990 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $42,950 | 50 |
| Oregon | $42,760 | 190 |
| West Virginia | $41,600 | 100 |
| New Mexico | $41,290 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $39,920 | 950 |
| Arizona | $39,660 | 410 |
| Idaho | $39,510 | 160 |
| Kansas | $39,450 | 200 |
| South Dakota | $39,340 | 110 |
| Arkansas | $39,140 | 30 |
| Louisiana | $38,920 | 50 |
| Georgia | $38,880 | 290 |
| Mississippi | $38,430 | 130 |
| Virginia | $38,020 | 230 |
| New Jersey | $37,690 | 260 |
| Oklahoma | $37,190 | 30 |
| Texas | $36,350 | 980 |
| Alabama | $34,950 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $32,160 | 620 |
State median wages for furniture finishers (SOC 51-7021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for furniture finishers
The BLS projects employment of furniture finishers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 15,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 15,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,500 openings a year for furniture finishers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a furniture finisher
The typical entry-level education for furniture finishers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a furniture finisher earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Connecticut, $59,830) and the lowest (Tennessee, $32,160) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 14,480 people work as furniture finishers in the United States. At $44,540 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Furniture finisher salary FAQ
How much does a furniture finisher make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a furniture finisher is $21.41. The middle half of furniture finishers earn between $18.11 and $23.91 per hour.
What is the highest furniture finisher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of furniture finishers earn more than $61,020 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a furniture finisher make a year?
The median annual salary for a furniture finisher is $44,540. The average (mean) wage of $45,300 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a furniture finisher a well paid job?
At $44,540 a year, a furniture finisher earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 14,480 people work as furniture finishers in the United States.
Which state pays furniture finishers the most?
Connecticut has the highest median salary for furniture finishers at $59,830 a year. Massachusetts ($56,300) and New Hampshire ($56,050) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a furniture finisher a good career?
Employment of furniture finishers is projected to shrink 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a furniture finisher?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for furniture finishers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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