Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Shoe and leather workers and repairers focus on repairing, maintaining, and working with footwear and leather goods. Nationally, this is a relatively small occupation, with about 10,000 workers. The typical entry point is a high school diploma or equivalent, which can make the field accessible to people who prefer hands-on work over extended formal schooling. The career draws on a mix of fine motor skills, mechanical abilities, physical stamina, and strong customer service and interpersonal skills. Creativity, attention to detail, and critical thinking also play important roles. National employment is projected to decline by 3.8%, yet there are still about 1,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing replacement needs as current workers leave the field. For people who value working directly with customers and using practical, craft-oriented skills, this occupation offers a clear path into a specialized trade, with particular opportunities in certain states and metro areas.
The national median annual salary for shoe and leather workers and repairers is $35,950. Earnings vary by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington shows a median salary of $48,310 and Massachusetts $46,550, while California is $38,130, Virginia $37,230, and Colorado $36,170. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City has a median salary of $45,960, Boston-Cambridge-Newton $46,550, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim $37,810, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington $39,960, and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington $37,900. These figures suggest that some states and metro areas offer noticeably higher median wages than the national median. Individuals interested in maximizing earnings in this field may want to pay close attention to specific metros and states where median salaries are higher, while recognizing that wages can still differ within each region and employer.
National employment for shoe and leather workers and repairers stands at about 10,000, with projected employment growth of -3.8%. This indicates a decline in overall employment levels over the projection period. Even with this negative growth, the occupation is expected to have about 1,000 annual openings. These openings reflect ongoing turnover as current workers retire, change careers, or leave positions for other reasons. For job seekers, this means that while the total number of positions may decrease over time, there will still be regular opportunities to enter the field or move between employers. The negative growth rate appears consistently across the highlighted states and metro areas, all showing -3.8% growth, so the general outlook is similar across regions. People considering this occupation should factor in both the modest size of the workforce and the projected decline when planning long-term career paths.
Location can make a meaningful difference for shoe and leather workers and repairers. Among states with top CareerGPS opportunity scores, California leads with a score of 67.38 and a median salary of $38,130, with about 510 workers. Massachusetts also stands out with a median salary of $46,550, employment of 500, and an opportunity score of 65.87. Washington shows the highest listed state median salary at $48,310, though with smaller employment of 100 and an opportunity score of 56.29. Colorado and Virginia offer median salaries of $36,170 and $37,230, respectively, with moderate opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City has the highest opportunity score at 77.27 and a median salary of $45,960. Boston-Cambridge-Newton and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim also show relatively strong scores. These differences suggest that both pay levels and opportunity scores can vary substantially by region.
The typical education requirement for shoe and leather workers and repairers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who prefer to enter the workforce without pursuing longer postsecondary programs. Success in this field depends heavily on skill development rather than formal degrees. Key skills include fine motor abilities and mechanical skills, which support hands-on work with materials and equipment. Physical strength and stamina are also important, reflecting the physical nature of the work. Customer service and interpersonal skills matter for interacting with clients, while creativity and innovation can support problem solving and unique repair solutions. Critical and analytical thinking, attention to detail, and project management help workers plan and complete jobs accurately and efficiently. Science skills are also identified as relevant, contributing to a well-rounded skill profile for individuals building a career in this occupation.
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