Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders Salary
Production Occupations · 3.3K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$35,650
Median hourly
$17
Average annual
$36,280
Typical range
$26,560–$47,700
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders is $35,650 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $17 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts..
Most earn between $26,560 and $47,700 a year. There are roughly 3.3K people employed as shoe machine operators and tenders in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders.
- Hourly
- $17.14
- Daily
- $137
- Weekly
- $686
- Bi-weekly
- $1,371
- Monthly
- $2,971
- Annual
- $35,650
$35,650 a year is around the 50th percentile for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenderss. The median is $35,650.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$48,530
- 2Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$47,730
- 3El Paso, TX$23,070
Related job titles
Employers advertise Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders roles under these titles.
Related occupations
- Sewing Machine Operators$36,670
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$43,380
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,570
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand$42,660
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers$37,800
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand$38,020
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$38,760
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$42,770
What a Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders does
- Study work orders or shoe part tags to obtain information about workloads, specifications, and the types of materials to be used.
- Test machinery to ensure proper functioning before beginning production.
- Operate or tend machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
- Switch on machines, lower pressure feet or rollers to secure parts, and start machine stitching, using hand, foot, or knee controls.
- Draw thread through machine guide slots, needles, and presser feet in preparation for stitching, or load rolls of wire through machine axles.
- Perform routine equipment maintenance such as cleaning and lubricating machines or replacing broken needles.
- Cut excess thread or material from shoe parts, using scissors or knives.
- Inspect finished products to ensure that shoes have been completed according to specifications.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders make?
- The median annual wage for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders is $35,650 ($17 per hour). Pay ranges from about $26,560 at the 10th percentile to $47,700 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $36,280, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Shoe Machine Operators and Tenderss the most?
- New York has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $48,420.
- Is Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 3.3K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders do?
- Study work orders or shoe part tags to obtain information about workloads, specifications, and the types of materials to be used.; Test machinery to ensure proper functioning before beginning production.; Operate or tend machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts..