Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders salary in California
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders in California earn a median of $47,730 a year ($22.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,620 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $35,650. California ranks 2nd of 6 states for shoe machine operators and tenders pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.00 shoe machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.09). The average (mean) salary is $51,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for shoe machine operators and tenders in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| 25th percentile | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Median | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| 75th percentile | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,620 | $33.95 |
| Average (mean) | $51,250 | $24.64 |
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 | $3,977.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,988.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,835.77 |
| Weekly | $917.88 |
| Hourly | $22.95 |
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 in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,730 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for shoe machine operators and tenders
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $44,360 | $21.33 |
| Upholsterer | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $89,010 | $42.79 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,770 | $21.05 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Sewers, Hand | $42,420 | $20.40 |
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 California?
The median salary for shoe machine operators and tenders in California is $47,730 a year, or $22.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid shoe machine operators and tenders make in California?
The top 10% of shoe machine operators and tenders in California earn at least $70,620 a year. The top 25% earn $59,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for shoe machine operators and tenders in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,060 a year, and a quarter of shoe machine operators and tenders earn $47,110 or less.
How many shoe machine operators and tenders work in California?
About 30 shoe machine operators and tenders are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.