Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$47,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.95
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+34% vs US median
US median $35,650
State Rank
#2 of 6
30 employed here

How much do Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders make in California?

Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders in California take home a median of $47,730 annually — roughly $22.95 an hour — which runs 34% above the national median of $35,650.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $44,060 while the top 10% make $70,620 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,110 and $59,110 a year.

Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,060$21.18
25th percentile (early career)$47,110$22.65
50th percentile (median)$47,730$22.95
75th percentile (experienced)$59,110$28.42
90th percentile (top earners)$70,620$33.95

How California compares

California ranks 2nd out of 6 states and territories for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$48,420
2California$47,730
3Maine$39,850
4Wisconsin$37,970
5Minnesota$37,600

Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other states

Working as Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders in California

Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($47,730) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders make in California?
The median Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders salary in California is $47,730 per year, or about $22.95 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,060 at the entry level to $70,620 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders about 34% more than the national median of $35,650. California ranks 2nd out of 6 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,730 a year. About 30 Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.