Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
Shoe Machine Operators And Tenders
Shoe Machine Operators And Tenders operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
Table of contents
What they do
Shoe Machine Operators And Tenders operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
- Study work orders or shoe part tags to obtain information about workloads, specifications, and the types of materials to be used.
- Remove and examine shoes, shoe parts, and designs to verify conformance to specifications such as the proper embedding of stitches in channels.
- Turn screws to regulate the size of staples.
- Align parts to be stitched, following seams, edges, or markings, before positioning them under needles.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Shoe Machine Operators fill shuttle spools with thread from a machine’s bobbin winder by pressing a foot treadle. They turn screws to regulate the size of staples.
A typical day for a Shoe Machine Operator and Tender will also include:
- Remove and examine shoes, shoe parts, and designs to verify conformance to specifications such as the proper embedding of stitches in channels.
- Test machinery to ensure proper functioning before beginning production.
- Align parts to be stitched, following seams, edges, or markings, before positioning them under needles.
- Study work orders or shoe part tags to obtain information about workloads, specifications, and the types of materials to be used.
- Turn setscrews on needle bars, and position required numbers of needles in stitching machines.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Shoe Machine Operators also perform routine equipment maintenance such as cleaning and lubricating machines or replacing broken needles. They may also turn knobs to adjust stitch length and thread tension.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Shoe Machine Operators collect shoe parts from conveyer belts or racks and place them in machinery such as ovens or on molds for dressing, returning them to conveyers or racks to send them to the next work station. They might also draw thread through machine guide slots, needles, and presser feet in preparation for stitching, or load rolls of wire through machine axles.
In addition, they hammer loose staples for proper attachment.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them fill shuttle spools with thread from a machine’s bobbin winder by pressing a foot treadle.
To some Shoe Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to study work orders or shoe part tags to obtain information about workloads, specifications, and the types of materials to be used.
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 value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive 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 help and teach others.
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 Machine Operators And Tenders with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $20,810 to $26,340 per year or $10 to $13 per hour.
Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Highest (Top 10%) | $41,880 | $20 |
Senior (Top 25%) | $37,020 | $18 |
Median | $30,630 | $15 |
Junior (Bottom 25%) | $26,340 | $13 |
No experience (Bottom 10%) | $20,810 | $10 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Shoe Machine Operators And Tenders based on their average annual salary.
Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Footwear Manufacturing | $31530 | $15.16 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Shoe Machine Operators And Tenders work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Shoe Machine Operators And Tenders including the average salary in that industry.
Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
---|---|---|---|
Footwear Manufacturing | $31530 | $15.16 |
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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