Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.

Also called: Boot Maker, Cobbler, Leather Worker, Saddle and Harness Maker, Shoe Cutter, Shoe Maker, Shoe Repairer, Shoe Repairman, Stitcher, Back Shoe Cutter, Bench Hand, Boot and Saddle Repair Person, Boot Repairer, Bootmaker, Custom Leather Products Maker, Custom Shoe Maker, Custom Shoemaker, Dyer, Finger Cobbler, Footwear Stitcher, Hand Bootmaker, Harness Maker, Lacer, Leather Artisan, Leather Craftsman, Leather Lacer, Leather Production Artisan, Leather Production Worker, Leather Stamper, Leather Stitcher, Leathersmith, Luggage Maker, Luggage Repairer, Mender, Orthopedic Boot and Shoe Designer, Orthopedic Boot and Shoe Maker, Orthopedic Boot Shoe Designer, Orthopedic Boot Shoe Maker, Orthopedic Shoe Maker, Pad Hand, Polish Inspector, Repair Cobbler, Repairer, Saddle Maker, Saddle Mechanic, Sample Sewer, Sample Shoe Inspector, Sample Shoe Reworker, Sewer, Shoe Cobbler, Shoe Designer, Shoe Dyer, Shoe Reconditioner, Shoe Repair Cobbler, Shoe Stainer, Shoe Stitcher, Skate Maker, Stain Inspector, Trimming Cutter, Upper Cutter

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
Cut out parts, following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
Construct, decorate, or repair leather products according to specifications, using sewing machines, needles and thread, leather lacing, glue, clamps, hand tools, or rivets.
Repair and recondition leather products such as trunks, luggage, shoes, saddles, belts, purses, and baseball gloves.
Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
Inspect articles for defects, and remove damaged or worn parts, using hand tools.
Drill or punch holes and insert or attach metal rings, handles, and fastening hardware, such as buckles.

Skills, machines and equipment

Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Social Perceptiveness
Coordination
Service Orientation
Operations Monitoring
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management
Quality Control Analysis

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (56.39% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

31,270–45,670 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-6041.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (56.39% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers