How much does a shoe and leather worker and repairer make?
The median shoe and leather worker and repairer in the United States earns $35,950 per year, about $17.29 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all shoe and leather workers and repairers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-6041.
Shoe and leather worker and repairer salary range
Pay for shoe and leather workers and repairers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $25,170 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $48,090. The average (mean) wage of $36,280 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 | $25,170 | $12.10 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $29,400 | $14.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $35,950 | $17.29 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $41,400 | $19.91 | |
| 90th percentile | $48,090 | $23.12 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for shoe and leather workers and repairers (SOC 51-6041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Shoe and leather worker and repairer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Shoe and leather workers and repairers earn the most in Washington at $80,670 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $25,720. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $80,670 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $50,790 | 380 |
| Iowa | $48,010 | 50 |
| New York | $43,740 | 200 |
| Wisconsin | $40,440 | 420 |
| Arizona | $40,260 | N/A |
| Oregon | $39,680 | 310 |
| Minnesota | $39,350 | 160 |
| Montana | $39,250 | 40 |
| Illinois | $38,790 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $38,790 | 40 |
| Virginia | $38,630 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $37,710 | 170 |
| Colorado | $37,480 | 50 |
| California | $37,120 | 600 |
| Maine | $36,800 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $36,770 | 510 |
| Utah | $36,500 | 70 |
| Missouri | $36,430 | 180 |
| New Jersey | $35,500 | 230 |
| Arkansas | $34,620 | 180 |
| Michigan | $32,790 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $32,280 | 70 |
| Georgia | $31,400 | 150 |
| Ohio | $31,060 | 170 |
| Indiana | $29,630 | 60 |
| Texas | $28,990 | 1,870 |
| Alabama | $28,890 | 50 |
| Florida | $26,560 | 520 |
| Mississippi | $25,720 | 70 |
State median wages for shoe and leather workers and repairers (SOC 51-6041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for shoe and leather workers and repairers
The BLS projects employment of shoe and leather workers and repairers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 6.5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 10,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 9,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for shoe and leather workers and repairers. 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 shoe and leather worker and repairer
The typical entry-level education for shoe and leather workers and repairers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-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 shoe and leather worker and repairer 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 (Washington, $80,670) and the lowest (Mississippi, $25,720) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 7,640 people work as shoe and leather workers and repairers in the United States. At $35,950 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Shoe and leather worker and repairer salary FAQ
How much does a shoe and leather worker and repairer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a shoe and leather worker and repairer is $17.29. The middle half of shoe and leather workers and repairers earn between $14.13 and $19.91 per hour.
What is the highest shoe and leather worker and repairer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of shoe and leather workers and repairers earn more than $48,090 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a shoe and leather worker and repairer make a year?
The median annual salary for a shoe and leather worker and repairer is $35,950. The average (mean) wage of $36,280 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 shoe and leather worker and repairer a well paid job?
At $35,950 a year, a shoe and leather worker and repairer earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 7,640 people work as shoe and leather workers and repairers in the United States.
Which state pays shoe and leather workers and repairers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for shoe and leather workers and repairers at $80,670 a year. Tennessee ($50,790) and Iowa ($48,010) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a shoe and leather worker and repairer a good career?
Employment of shoe and leather workers and repairers is projected to shrink 6.5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a shoe and leather worker and repairer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for shoe and leather workers and repairers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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