Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Shoe And Leather Workers And Repairers
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.
Table of contents
What they do
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.
- Dress and otherwise finish boots or shoes, by trimming the edges of new soles and heels to the shoe shape.
- Estimate the costs of requested products or services such as custom footwear or footwear repair, and receive payment from customers.
- Attach insoles to shoe lasts, affix shoe uppers, and apply heels and outsoles.
- Cement, nail or sew soles and heels to shoes.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Shoe and Leather Workers repair or replace soles, heels, and other parts of footwear, using sewing, buffing, and other shoe repair machines, materials, and equipment. They attach insoles to shoe lasts, affix shoe uppers, and apply heels and outsoles.
A typical day for a Shoe and Leather Worker and Repairer will also include:
- Clean and polish shoes.
- Cement, nail or sew soles and heels to shoes.
- Shape shoe heels with a knife, and sand them on a buffing wheel for smoothness.
- Attach accessories or ornamentation to decorate or protect products.
- Dress and otherwise finish boots or shoes, by trimming the edges of new soles and heels to the shoe shape.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Shoe and Leather Workers also make, modify, and repair orthopedic or therapeutic footwear according to doctors’ prescriptions, or modify existing footwear for people with foot problems and special needs. They may also re-sew seams, and replace handles and linings of suitcases or handbags.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Shoe and Leather Workers measure customers for fit, and discuss with them the type of footwear to be made, recommending details such as leather quality. They might also read prescriptions or specifications, and take measurements to establish the type of product to be made, using calipers, tape measures, or rules.
In addition, they prepare inserts, heel pads, and lifts from casts of customers’ feet.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them stretch shoes, dampening parts, and inserting and twisting parts, using an adjustable stretcher.
To some Shoe and Leather Workers, it is also their responsibility to repair and recondition leather products such as trunks, luggage, shoes, saddles, belts, purses, and baseball gloves.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Demand for this career is declining.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Shoe And Leather Workers And Repairers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $21,050 to $25,570 per year or $10 to $12 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $41,510 | $20 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $37,160 | $18 |
| Median | $30,550 | $15 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $25,570 | $12 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $21,050 | $10 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Shoe And Leather Workers And Repairers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shoe Stores | $36780 | $17.68 |
| Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | $32900 | $15.82 |
| Footwear Manufacturing | $31880 | $15.33 |
| Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores | $31550 | $15.17 |
| Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | $31540 | $15.16 |
| Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing | $31530 | $15.16 |
| Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers | $30700 | $14.76 |
| Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing | $30100 | $14.47 |
| Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | $29260 | $14.07 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores | $28360 | $13.63 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Shoe And Leather Workers And Repairers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Shoe And Leather Workers And Repairers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | 1950 | $29260 | $14.07 |
| Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | 1900 | $31540 | $15.16 |
| Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores | 880 | $31550 | $15.17 |
| Footwear Manufacturing | 600 | $31880 | $15.33 |
| Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing | 560 | $31530 | $15.16 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores | 230 | $28360 | $13.63 |
| Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 90 | $32900 | $15.82 |
| Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing | 50 | $30100 | $14.47 |
| Employment Services | 40 | $23720 | $11.40 |
| Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers | $30700 | $14.76 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Shoe, Boot and Leather Repair
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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