by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, leatherworking and upholstery was the 393rd most popular major nationwide with 54 degrees awarded. This represents a 92.6% reduction in leatherworking degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 104.
Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of leatherworking programs later in this article.
When studying Leatherworking, you’ll learn that using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional leatherworking certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of leatherworking degrees. You can get anything from a in leatherworking and upholstery to the highest leatherworking degree, a . The time it takes to complete a leatherworking degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to leatherworking, with approximately 0.8% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for leatherworking workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 59.8% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 25.7% |
| Some College Courses | 11.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 0.9% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in leatherworking and upholstery have received.
The education level required is different depending on the leatherworking career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your leatherworking degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to leatherworking and upholstery.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Upholsterers | 41,800 | 0.5% |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | 9,700 | -11.8% |
| Shoe Machine Operators | 3,300 | -8.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for leatherworking graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for leatherworking and upholstery graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers leatherworking grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Upholsterers | $35,920 |
| Shoe Machine Operators | $30,110 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $29,800 |
With over 13 different leatherworking degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased leatherworking school rankings to help you with this.
Leatherworking & Upholstery is one of 5 different types of Precision Production programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Upholstery/Upholsterer | 54 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | 52,308 |
| Woodworking | 431 |
| Other Precision Production | 68 |
| Precision Production Trades | 39 |
| Boilermaking | 13 |
Image Credit: By Steven M O’Kelley under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
