Shoe Machine Operator and Tender Salary
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders earn a median $35,650 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What shoe machine operators and tenders do
Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.9% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 400
- Self-employed
- 26%
Employment of shoe machine operators and tenders is projected to shrink 6.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Shoe Machine Operator and Tender take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,098
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,210
- Medicare (1.45%)$517
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,825
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,560 | $12.77 | $23,482 |
| 25th percentile | $29,090 | $13.99 | $25,554 |
| Median (50th) | $35,650 | $17.14 | $30,825 |
| 75th percentile | $43,090 | $20.72 | $36,803 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,700 | $22.93 | $40,507 |
Shoe Machine Operator and Tender salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $48,420 | +4.6% | $39,068 | $39,420 – $52,180 | 40 |
| California | $47,730 | +3.2% | $38,997 | $44,060 – $70,620 | 30 |
| Maine | $39,850 | +0.1% | $32,680 | $31,450 – $48,740 | 530 |
| Wisconsin | $37,970 | −6.9% | $31,799 | $30,580 – $46,110 | 110 |
| Minnesota | $37,600 | −2.1% | $31,199 | $31,810 – $48,930 | 370 |
| Texas | $26,560 | +9.9% | $23,482 | $20,210 – $29,090 | 500 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoe and Leather Worker and Repairer | $37,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.5% |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $35,060 | No formal educational credential | -15.7% |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker | $34,890 | No formal educational credential | +4.3% |
| Sewers, Hand | $36,480 | No formal educational credential | -12.0% |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $36,670 | No formal educational credential | -15.1% |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $37,280 | High school diploma or equivalent | -13.4% |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operator and Tender | $38,180 | High school diploma or equivalent | -12.5% |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,670 | High school diploma or equivalent | -10.3% |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,760 | High school diploma or equivalent | -13.6% |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | -13.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a shoe machine operator and tender make?
The national median salary for shoe machine operators and tenders is $35,650 a year ($17.14 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $26,560 and the top 10% earn over $47,700. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays shoe machine operators and tenders the most?
New York has the highest median pay at $48,420.
How many shoe machine operators and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 3,280 people work as shoe machine operators and tenders nationwide.