The median pay for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders is $35,650 a year ($17.14/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 6.9% through 2035, with about 400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-6042
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Shoe Machine Operator and Tender in four numbers
- Median pay
- $35,650a year, or $17.14/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $27KTop 10% $48K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -6.9%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−6.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −6.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4004,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20254.6K
- Projected 20354.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 4.6K Projected 2035 4.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school46.4%
- High school38%
- Some college15.3%
- Associate's0.3%
Highest education held by shoe machine operators and tenders Segment Value Less than high school 46.4% High school 38% Some college 15.3% Associate's 0.3%
Also advertised as: Boot Maker, Cobbler, Inseamer, Insole Department Worker, Shoe Cementer, Shoe Maker.
Pay
How much do Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders make?
Every shoe machine operator and tender in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$35,650
Middle half earn $29,090 to $43,090
- 10th
- $26,560
- 25th
- $29,090
- 75th
- $43,090
- 90th
- $47,700
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $26,560 |
| 25th | $29,090 |
| Median | $35,650 |
| 75th | $43,090 |
| 90th | $47,700 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $35,650
- Median hourly wage
- $17.14/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $36,280
- People employed
- 3,280
Versus all US occupations
At $35,650, Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders earn 30% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,330 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 26% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $47,700 or more while the bottom 10% earn $26,560, a gap of 1.8×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 2% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New York pays the most at $48,420, and still leads at $44,866 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $48,420 | $44,866 | 40 |
| 2California | $47,730 | $43,109 | 30 |
| 3Maine | $39,850 | $41,061 | 530 |
| 4Wisconsin | $37,970 | $40,353 | 110 |
| 5Minnesota | $37,600 | $38,126 | 370 |
| 6Texas | $26,560 | $27,365 | 500 |
Job outlook
Is Shoe Machine Operator and Tender a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -6.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders | −6.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders to change -6.9% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 300 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 400 openings are projected each year, 8.7% of the 4,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Shoe Machine Operator and Tender
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as shoe machine operators and tenders.
- Less than a High School Diploma46.4%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)38%
- Some College Courses15.3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree0.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 46.4% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 38% |
| Some College Courses | 15.3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Shoe Machine Operator and Tender do?
Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
Day-to-day tasks
- Perform routine equipment maintenance such as cleaning and lubricating machines or replacing broken needles.
- Test machinery to ensure proper functioning before beginning production.
- Switch on machines, lower pressure feet or rollers to secure parts, and start machine stitching, using hand, foot, or knee controls.
- Study work orders or shoe part tags to obtain information about workloads, specifications, and the types of materials to be used.
- Cut excess thread or material from shoe parts, using scissors or knives.
- Inspect finished products to ensure that shoes have been completed according to specifications.
- Turn knobs to adjust stitch length and thread tension.
- Align parts to be stitched, following seams, edges, or markings, before positioning them under needles.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantLittle or no dealing with customers or the public.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually serious.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Listening3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Speaking2.8
- Writing2.1
- Active Learning2.1
- Learning Strategies2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.1 |
| Active Learning | 2.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Operation and Control3.0
- Equipment Maintenance2.9
- Quality Control Analysis2.9
- Troubleshooting2.8
- Time Management2.8
- Complex Problem Solving2.6
- Repairing2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.0 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 2.9 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.9 |
| Troubleshooting | 2.8 |
| Time Management | 2.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.6 |
| Repairing | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Industrial control software
- Inventory management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Shoe Machine Operator and Tender?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Shoe Machine Operator and Tender |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.7
- Conventional3.9
- Investigative1.8
- Artistic1.7
- Enterprising1.5
- Social1.3
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Shoe Machine Operator and Tender
O*NET related occupations
- Production
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Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$46,570median a year
Most earn $36K to $61K
−0.9%High school - Production
- Production
Grinding and Polishing Worker, Hand
$42,660median a year
Most earn $33K to $61K
−19.2%No formal credential - Production
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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$46,550median a year
Most earn $36K to $63K
−10.8%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with shoe machine operators and tenders highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
- Shoe Machine Operator and Tender$35,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
| Shoe Machine Operator and Tender | $35,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Shoe Machine Operator and Tender appears on
Questions
Shoe Machine Operator and Tender: frequently asked questions
How much do Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders make?
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders earn a median of $35,650 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 30% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $17.14/hr. The middle half earn between $29,090 and $43,090. The top 10% earn $47,700 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Shoe Machine Operator and Tender?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 46.4% hold less than a high school diploma.
Is Shoe Machine Operator and Tender a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 6.9% over 2025–2035, a loss of 300 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Shoe Machine Operator and Tender do?
Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts. A core O*NET task: perform routine equipment maintenance such as cleaning and lubricating machines or replacing broken needles. Employers most often ask for Document management software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders the most?
The highest state medians for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders are New York ($48,420), California ($47,730), Maine ($39,850) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Shoe Machine Operator and Tender?
O*NET scores Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.