What Do Shoe and Leather Worker or Repairer Do?
Job Description: Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles.
What Do Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Dress and otherwise finish boots or shoes, as by trimming the edges of new soles and heels to the shoe shape.
- Attach accessories or ornamentation to decorate or protect products.
- Cut out parts, following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
- Cut, insert, position, and secure paddings, cushioning, or linings, using stitches or glue.
- Clean and polish shoes.
- Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
Featured schools near , edit
What a Shoe & Leather Worker or Repairer Should Know
These are the skills Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: 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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Other Shoe & Leather Worker or Repairer Job Titles
- Pad Hand
- Boot Maker
- Seamstress
- Saddle Mechanic
- Shoe Stainer
Is There Going to be Demand for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers?
In the United States, there were 11,000 jobs for Shoe and Leather Worker or Repairer in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Shoe and Leather Worker or Repairer. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 800 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Shoe & Leather Worker or Repairer are Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Indiana, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Shoe & Leather Worker or Repairer
The average yearly salary of a Shoe & Leather Worker or Repairer ranges between $19,440 and $39,790.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers who work in Minnesota, Nevada, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Arizona | $23,290 |
California | $32,210 |
Colorado | $30,720 |
Georgia | $19,140 |
Idaho | $30,900 |
Illinois | $29,170 |
Indiana | $31,310 |
Maine | $30,710 |
Massachusetts | $31,180 |
Michigan | $32,360 |
Minnesota | $35,320 |
Mississippi | $26,830 |
Missouri | $28,260 |
Montana | $21,010 |
Nevada | $36,360 |
New Hampshire | $35,090 |
New Jersey | $37,050 |
New York | $27,580 |
North Carolina | $25,790 |
Ohio | $26,700 |
Oklahoma | $22,520 |
Oregon | $28,590 |
Pennsylvania | $22,930 |
South Carolina | $27,790 |
Tennessee | $28,230 |
Texas | $28,200 |
Utah | $24,880 |
Virginia | $31,740 |
Washington | $32,450 |
Wisconsin | $28,360 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Inventory tracking software
- Bookkeeping software
- Financial accounting software
- Sale processing software
Becoming a Shoe & Leather Worker or Repairer
Are there Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Shoe & Leather Worker or Repairer?

Who Employs Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers?

The table below shows the approximate number of Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers employed by various industries.

Related Careers
Those who work as a Shoe and Leather Worker or Repairer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Steven M O’Kelley via Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |