Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
Also called: Anchor Operator, Anchorer, Ankle Patch Molder, Apron Trimmer, Arch Cushion Press Operator, Archer
Median pay
$35,650
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$26,560 – $47,700
People employed
3,280
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
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.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 2.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 3.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 4.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 5.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 6.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 7.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders pay by state
Annual median pay by state (6 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What shoe machine operators and tenders do
- 01Inspect finished products to ensure that shoes have been completed according to specifications.
- 02Align parts to be stitched, following seams, edges, or markings, before positioning them under needles.
- 03Operate or tend machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
- 04Remove and examine shoes, shoe parts, and designs to verify conformance to specifications such as proper embedding of stitches in channels.
- 05Switch on machines, lower pressure feet or rollers to secure parts, and start machine stitching, using hand, foot, or knee controls.
- 06Fill shuttle spools with thread from a machine's bobbin winder by pressing a foot treadle.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Personnel and Human Resources
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- 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: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
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 machine operators and tenders
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand87% · +20%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders87% · +31%
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders82% · +30%
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders81% · +41%
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic79% · +31%
Change into shoe machine operators and tenders
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers73% · $46,170
Majors that lead here
- Shoe, Boot and Leather Repair
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.