How much does a shoe repairer make?
Answer: A typical shoe repairer in the United States makes $37,800 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 7,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Shoe repairer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $28,210 | $37,800 | $52,550 | about 7,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $46,550 | about 500 |
| California | $38,130 | about 510 |
| Texas | $30,620 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and skill matter: people who can handle difficult or specialized repairs may earn more. Pay also varies by location and workplace; shop owners or managers may earn more than repair employees.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a shoe repairer do?
Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
What's a typical day like?
They inspect worn shoes, remove old soles or heels, then cut and sand replacements and attach them with glue, stitches, or nails. They trim, polish, or dye the repair and may talk with customers about the job and cost.
How to get this job
A high school diploma or GED is usual but not always needed; most shoe repairers learn on the job, and O*NET lists shoe-repair apprenticeships. U.S. registered apprenticeships can start at 16, though a program may set a higher minimum age.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
A U.S. cobbler once made a corkscrew-shaped tail for a pig-shaped footstool—not just shoes!
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-6041.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2007/summer/yawhat.pdf
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.ssia.info/careers-in-shoe-repair
- www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2024-title29-vol1/pdf/CFR-2024-title29-vol1-part
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY