Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders salary in the U.S.
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders in the U.S. earn a median of $35,650 a year ($17.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,700 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $36,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for shoe machine operators and tenders in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| 25th percentile | $29,090 | $13.99 |
| Median | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| 75th percentile | $43,090 | $20.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,700 | $22.94 |
| Average (mean) | $36,280 | $17.44 |
Half of shoe machine operators and tenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,970.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,485.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,371.15 |
| Weekly | $685.58 |
| Hourly | $17.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $48,420 | 40 |
| California | $47,730 | 30 |
| Maine | $39,850 | 530 |
| Wisconsin | $37,970 | 110 |
| Minnesota | $37,600 | 370 |
| Texas | $26,560 | 500 |
Best-paying metro areas for shoe machine operators and tenders
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $48,530 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,730 | 30 |
| El Paso, TX | $23,070 | 170 |
Metro areas with the most shoe machine operators and tenders
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TX | 170 | $23,070 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 40 | $48,530 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 30 | $47,730 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,890 | $16.78 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $35,060 | $16.85 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Upholsterer | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $41,640 | $20.02 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $37,280 | $17.93 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,530 | $19.01 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $46,350 | $22.29 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| Sewers, Hand | $36,480 | $17.54 |
More: Production Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-6042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a shoe machine operators and tenders make in the U.S.?
The median salary for shoe machine operators and tenders in the U.S. is $35,650 a year, or $17.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid shoe machine operators and tenders make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of shoe machine operators and tenders in the U.S. earn at least $47,700 a year. The top 25% earn $43,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for shoe machine operators and tenders in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,560 a year, and a quarter of shoe machine operators and tenders earn $29,090 or less.
How many shoe machine operators and tenders work in the U.S.?
About 3,280 shoe machine operators and tenders are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.