Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
SOC: 51-6041 O*NET: 51-6041.00
Median Salary
$35,950
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
What does a Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$25,170
10th percentile
Early Career
$29,400
25th percentile
Median
$35,950
50th percentile
Experienced
$41,400
75th percentile
Top Earners
$48,090
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$25,170
25th
$29,400
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$35,950
Mean: $36,280
75th
$41,400
90th
$48,090
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $22,920 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $29,400 and $41,400
- •Salary spread is 33.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 7,640 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:9,500
Top Industries
Manufacturing76.8%
Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing74.7%
Footwear Manufacturing33.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.8%
Annual Openings:900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)9,500
Current
2034 (Projected)9,100
-3.8%
-400
Employment Change
-3.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 30 locations
Texas
1,870 jobs$28,9902.73x
California
600 jobs$37,1200.67x
Florida
520 jobs$26,5601.07x
Massachusetts
510 jobs$36,7702.80x
Wisconsin
420 jobs$40,4402.87x
Tennessee
380 jobs$50,7902.32x
Oregon
310 jobs$39,6803.13x
New Jersey
230 jobs$35,5001.09x
New York
200 jobs$43,7400.43x
Missouri
180 jobs$36,4301.25x
Arkansas
180 jobs$34,6202.76x
Illinois
170 jobs$38,7900.58x
North Carolina
170 jobs$37,7100.71x
Ohio
170 jobs$31,0600.63x
Minnesota
160 jobs$39,3501.12x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
80%
#3
Speaking
60%
#4
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Craft Artists80%
4 shared skills
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers80%
4 shared skills
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers75%
3 shared skills
Fence Erectors67%
4 shared skills
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks67%
4 shared skills
Cooks, Restaurant60%
3 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (21)
1
Cut out parts, following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Construct, decorate, or repair leather products according to specifications, using sewing machines, needles and thread, leather lacing, glue, clamps, hand tools, or rivets.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Select materials and patterns, and trace patterns onto materials to be cut out.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Dress and otherwise finish boots or shoes, as by trimming the edges of new soles and heels to the shoe shape.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Estimate the costs of requested products or services such as custom footwear or footwear repair, and receive payment from customers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Attach insoles to shoe lasts, affix shoe uppers, and apply heels and outsoles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Cement, nail, or sew soles and heels to shoes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Shape shoe heels with a knife, and sand them on a buffing wheel for smoothness.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers professionals typically have a RAC Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
AArtistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.73
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.66
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.54
Complete Work Styles Profile
Cooperation
3.7
Attention to Detail
3.7
Dependability
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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