How much does a shoe machine operator and tender make?
The median shoe machine operator and tender in the United States earns $38,160 per year, about $18.35 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all shoe machine operators and tenders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-6042.
Shoe machine operator and tender salary range
Pay for shoe machine operators and tenders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $24,160 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $47,860. The average (mean) wage is $37,230, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $24,160 | $11.61 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $30,450 | $14.64 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,160 | $18.35 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $43,390 | $20.86 | |
| 90th percentile | $47,860 | $23.01 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for shoe machine operators and tenders (SOC 51-6042), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Shoe machine operator and tender salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Shoe machine operators and tenders earn the most in New York at $46,290 a year, and the least in Texas at $24,160. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $46,290 | 60 |
| California | $46,240 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $40,780 | 90 |
| Maine | $39,830 | 580 |
| Minnesota | $38,420 | 320 |
| Texas | $24,160 | 510 |
State median wages for shoe machine operators and tenders (SOC 51-6042), 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 machine operators and tenders
The BLS projects employment of shoe machine operators and tenders to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 6.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 400 openings a year for shoe machine operators and tenders. 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 machine operator and tender
The typical entry-level education for shoe machine operators and tenders 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 shoe machine operator and tender 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 (New York, $46,290) and the lowest (Texas, $24,160) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,270 people work as shoe machine operators and tenders in the United States. At $38,160 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Shoe machine operator and tender salary FAQ
How much does a shoe machine operator and tender make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a shoe machine operator and tender is $18.35. The middle half of shoe machine operators and tenders earn between $14.64 and $20.86 per hour.
What is the highest shoe machine operator and tender salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of shoe machine operators and tenders earn more than $47,860 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a shoe machine operator and tender make a year?
The median annual salary for a shoe machine operator and tender is $38,160. The average (mean) wage is $37,230, close to the median.
Is being a shoe machine operator and tender a well paid job?
At $38,160 a year, a shoe machine operator and tender earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,270 people work as shoe machine operators and tenders in the United States.
Which state pays shoe machine operators and tenders the most?
New York has the highest median salary for shoe machine operators and tenders at $46,290 a year. California ($46,240) and Wisconsin ($40,780) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a shoe machine operator and tender a good career?
Employment of shoe machine operators and tenders is projected to shrink 6.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a shoe machine operator and tender?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for shoe machine operators and tenders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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