How much do Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders make?
The median pay for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States is $35,650 per year — about $17.14 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $26,560, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $47,700.
That is $25,740 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders salary range by percentile
Half of all Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders earn between $29,090 and $43,090 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,560 | $12.77 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,090 | $13.99 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,650 | $17.14 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $43,090 | $20.72 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,700 | $22.93 |
Highest-paying states for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. New York leads the country for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders pay at $48,420 a year, followed by California ($47,730) and Maine ($39,850). At the other end, Texas posts the lowest median at $26,560 — a gap of $21,860 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $48,420 | $23.28 | +36% |
| 2 | California | $47,730 | $22.95 | +34% |
| 3 | Maine | $39,850 | $19.16 | +12% |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $37,970 | $18.25 | +7% |
| 5 | Minnesota | $37,600 | $18.08 | +5% |
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 6 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 3,000 people work as Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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