Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders

SOC code 51-6042 · O*NET-SOC 51-6042.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$35,650

a year

Hourly

$17.14

per hour

10th$26,560Median$35,65090th$47,700

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$36,280

$17.44 per hour

Middle 50%

$29,090 – $43,090

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$26,560 – $47,700

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

3,280

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $26,560; $12.77/hr
25th percentile: $29,090; $13.99/hr
Median percentile: $35,650; $17.14/hr
75th percentile: $43,090; $20.72/hr
90th percentile: $47,700; $22.94/hr

What do shoe machine operators and tenders do?

Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Inspect finished products to ensure that shoes have been completed according to specifications.
Align parts to be stitched, following seams, edges, or markings, before positioning them under needles.
Operate or tend machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
Remove and examine shoes, shoe parts, and designs to verify conformance to specifications such as proper embedding of stitches in channels.
Switch on machines, lower pressure feet or rollers to secure parts, and start machine stitching, using hand, foot, or knee controls.
Fill shuttle spools with thread from a machine's bobbin winder by pressing a foot treadle.
Staple sides of shoes, pressing a foot treadle to position and hold each shoe under the feeder of the machine.
Draw thread through machine guide slots, needles, and presser feet in preparation for stitching, or load rolls of wire through machine axles.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 46% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: 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.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Less than a High School Diploma46%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)38%
Some College Courses15%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree0%

Common questions

How much does a shoe machine operators and tenders earn?

The national median is $35,650 a year. The full range runs from $26,560 at the 10th percentile to $47,700 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a shoe machine operators and tenders without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension3.1/5
Active Listening3.0/5
Critical Thinking3.0/5
Monitoring3.0/5
Speaking2.8/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing3.3/5
Administration and Management3.0/5
Education and Training2.7/5
Customer and Personal Service2.5/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Equipment Maintenance, Quality Control Analysis, Troubleshooting.