Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for shoe and leather workers and repairers in the U.S. is $37,800 ($18.17 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $37,800
- Mean annual wage
- $39,160
- Median hourly wage
- $18.17
- Employment
- 7,450
7,450 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| 25th percentile | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Median (50th) | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| 75th percentile | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| 90th percentile | $52,550 | $25.26 |
Highest-paying states for shoe and leather workers and repairers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $52,520 | 330 |
| Washington | $48,310 | 100 |
| New Jersey | $46,790 | 230 |
| Massachusetts | $46,550 | 500 |
| Arizona | $45,510 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $44,000 | 460 |
| Illinois | $43,730 | 200 |
| Minnesota | $42,940 | 200 |
| New York | $42,100 | — |
| New Hampshire | $40,800 | 30 |
Lowest-paying states
- Mississippi: $26,340 median annual wage
- Texas: $30,620 median annual wage
- Oklahoma: $30,720 median annual wage
- Georgia: $32,470 median annual wage
- Pennsylvania: $34,870 median annual wage
About this occupation
Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
Typical tasks
- Drill or punch holes and insert or attach metal rings, handles, and fastening hardware, such as buckles.
- Cut out parts, following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
- Re-sew seams, and replace handles and linings of suitcases or handbags.
- Nail heel and toe cleats onto shoes.
- Attach accessories or ornamentation to decorate or protect products.
- Select materials and patterns, and trace patterns onto materials to be cut out.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 21.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 35.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 23.7% |
| Associate's degree | 7.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 10.4% |
| Master's degree | 1.3% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44,650
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,450
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$48,570
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53,750
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,220
- Machinists$58,750
- Production Workers, All Other$40,110
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$45,850
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.