Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
Also called: Back Shoe Cutter, Bench Hand, Boot and Saddle Repair Person, Boot Maker, Boot Repairer, Bootmaker
Median pay
$37,800
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$28,210 – $52,550
People employed
7,450
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 2.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 4.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 6.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (28 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers salary in every state →
What shoe and leather workers and repairers do
- 01Prepare inserts, heel pads, and lifts from casts of customers' feet.
- 02Dress and otherwise finish boots or shoes, as by trimming the edges of new soles and heels to the shoe shape.
- 03Attach insoles to shoe lasts, affix shoe uppers, and apply heels and outsoles.
- 04Clean and polish shoes.
- 05Cement, nail, or sew soles and heels to shoes.
- 06Check the texture, color, and strength of leather to ensure that it is adequate for a particular purpose.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from shoe and leather workers and repairers
- Furniture Finishers85% · +18%
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic83% · +22%
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers78% · +10%
- Tire Builders77% · +52%
- Carpet Installers77% · +33%
Change into shoe and leather workers and repairers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Furniture Finishers79% · $44,540
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers74% · $41,600
- Bakers73% · $37,160
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers70% · $38,300
- Butchers and Meat Cutters69% · $40,140
Majors that lead here
- Shoe, Boot and Leather Repair
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.