Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles.

Tasks Include:

Cut out parts following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
Construct, decorate, or repair leather products according to specifications, using sewing machines, needles and thread, leather lacing, glue, clamps, hand tools, and/or rivets.
Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, in order to join parts.
Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
Select materials and patterns, and trace patterns onto materials to be cut out.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Projections Quick View:

Virginia: -23.2%

National: -13.6%

Education

High School Diploma

Job Zone:

Two: Some Preparation Needed

Income Range:

Moderately Low ($17,000 - $27,999)

Average Earnings:

National

$24,690.00

State

$31,100.00

Regional

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Description

Career Cluster:

Manufacturing

Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Education

Required Level of Education

High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) = 56.04%
Some College Courses = 21.62%
Less than a High School Diploma = 17.74%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 2.41%
Doctoral Degree = 1.85%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades) = 0.33%

Related Work Experience

None = 43.15%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 15.71%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 11.68%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 10.68%
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 8.10%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 4.03%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 3.91%
Up to and including 1 month = 2.75%

On-Site or In-Plant Training

Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 38.23%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 19.35%
Up to and including 1 month = 18.11%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 13.15%
None = 6.87%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 2.79%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 1.50%

On-the-Job Training

Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 33.24%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 24.26%
Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 20.40%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 11.03%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 10.45%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 0.45%
None or short demonstration = 0.17%

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

Cut out parts following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
Construct, decorate, or repair leather products according to specifications, using sewing machines, needles and thread, leather lacing, glue, clamps, hand tools, and/or rivets.
Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, in order to join parts.
Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
Select materials and patterns, and trace patterns onto materials to be cut out.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

Dress and otherwise finish boots or shoes, as by trimming the edges of new soles and heels to the shoe shape.
Estimate the costs of requested products or services such as custom footwear or footwear repair, and receive payment from customers.
Attach insoles to shoe lasts, affix shoe uppers, and apply heels and outsoles.
Cement, nail, or sew soles and heels to shoes.
Shape shoe heels with a knife, and sand them on a buffing wheel for smoothness.
Repair or replace soles, heels, and other parts of footwear, using sewing, buffing and other shoe repair machines, materials, and equipment.
Make, modify, and repair orthopedic or therapeutic footwear according to doctors' prescriptions, or modify existing footwear for people with foot problems and special needs.
Repair and recondition leather products such as trunks, luggage, shoes, saddles, belts, purses, and baseball gloves.
Place shoes on lasts to remove soles and heels, using knives and/or pliers.
Clean and polish shoes.
Check the texture, color, and strength of leather to ensure that it is adequate for a particular purpose.
Read prescriptions or specifications, and take measurements to establish the type of product to be made, using calipers, tape measures, or rules.
Inspect articles for defects, and remove damaged or worn parts, using hand tools.
Drill or punch holes; then insert or attach metal rings, handles, and fastening hardware such as buckles.
Attach accessories or ornamentation to decorate or protect products.
Cut, insert, position, and secure paddings, cushioning, and/or linings, using stitches or glue.
Draw patterns, using measurements, designs, plaster casts, or customer specifications, and position or outline patterns on work pieces.
Measure customers for fit, and discuss with them the type of footwear to be made, recommending details such as leather quality.
Stretch shoes, first dampening parts; then inserting and twisting parts, using an adjustable stretcher.
Nail heel and toe cleats onto shoes.
Prepare inserts, heel pads, and lifts from casts of customers' feet.
Re-sew seams, and replace handles and linings of suitcases or handbags.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Knowledge

%	Subject	Description
51.75	Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Skills

%	Subject	Description
50.00	Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Abilities

%	Subject	Description
56.25	Finger Dexterity	The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
56.25	Manual Dexterity	The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
56.25	Near Vision	The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
53.25	Arm-Hand Steadiness	The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
50.00	Control Precision	The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
50.00	Multilimb Coordination	The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Work Activities

%	Subject	Description
52.75	Handling and Moving Objects	Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Work Styles

%	Subject	Description
78.75	Dependability	Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
76.50	Independence	Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
74.75	Attention to Detail	Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
69.00	Integrity	Job requires being honest and ethical.
62.00	Cooperation	Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
61.75	Initiative	Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
59.25	Innovation	Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
58.00	Achievement/Effort	Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
56.75	Persistence	Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
53.75	Self Control	Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
53.50	Adaptability/Flexibility	Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
51.50	Concern for Others	Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Work Values

%	Subject	Description

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Work Context

%	Subject	Description
93.00	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls	How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
90.40	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled	How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
89.00	Contact With Others	How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
87.80	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate	How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
86.60	Freedom to Make Decisions	How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
82.80	Structured versus Unstructured Work	To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
81.40	Face-to-Face Discussions	How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
79.20	Time Pressure	How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
74.40	Telephone	How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
68.40	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results	How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
68.00	Spend Time Standing	How much does this job require standing?
67.80	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions	How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
67.60	Exposed to Contaminants	How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
65.40	Work With Work Group or Team	How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
64.00	Physical Proximity	To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
61.80	Deal With External Customers	How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
60.80	Frequency of Decision Making	How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
57.40	Exposed to Hazardous Conditions	How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
56.80	Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings	How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
56.40	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results	How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?
56.20	Exposed to Hazardous Equipment	How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
55.00	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks	How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
53.40	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets	How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
52.20	Coordinate or Lead Others	How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
51.20	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety	How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
49.80	Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body	How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
49.60	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable	How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Overall Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, physical therapist aides, salespersons (retail), and tellers.
Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Earnings Benefits

Region	Entry Level	Average	Experienced
United States	$17,030.00	$25,680.00	$37,630.00
Virginia	$16,900.00	$31,100.00	$44,600.00

Region	Entry Level	Average	Experienced
Bay Consortium	No Data	No Data	No Data
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	No Data	No Data	No Data
Central VA/Region2000	No Data	No Data	No Data
Crater Area	No Data	No Data	No Data
Greater Peninsula	No Data	No Data	No Data
Hampton Roads	No Data	No Data	No Data
New River/Mt. Rogers	No Data	No Data	No Data
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	$17,419.47	$29,385.95	$44,501.61
Piedmont Workforce	No Data	No Data	No Data
Shenandoah Valley	No Data	No Data	No Data
South Central	No Data	No Data	No Data
Southwestern Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data
West Piedmont	No Data	No Data	No Data
Western Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data

The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Employment Projections

National	2010	2020	% Change
United States	10,200	8,800	- 13.6%

State	2008	2018	% Change
Virginia	383	294	- 23.2%

Region	2008	2018	% Change
Bay Consortium	0	0	+ 0.0%
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	1	0	- 100.0%
Central VA/Region2000	0	0	+ 0.0%
Crater Area	50	34	- 32.0%
Greater Peninsula	0	0	+ 0.0%
Hampton Roads	0	0	+ 0.0%
New River/Mt. Rogers	2	1	- 50.0%
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	0	0	+ 0.0%
Piedmont Workforce	0	0	+ 0.0%
Shenandoah Valley	0	0	+ 0.0%
South Central	0	0	+ 0.0%
Southwestern Virginia	0	0	+ 0.0%
West Piedmont	3	2	- 33.3%
Western Virginia	0	0	+ 0.0%

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Workforce Connection.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Related Occupations

Related Occupations

Careers in Production Pathway:

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

View Videos

The following videos are available for this occupation:

Manufacturing (6.08 Mb)

Macromedia Flash is required for viewing the videos. If you do not have the Flash plugin, it is freely available for download.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Proficiency Ratings

These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.

Proficiency	Rating
Handling and Moving Objects	3.0
Performing General Physical Activities	3.0
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.0
Controlling Machines and Processes	3.0
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	3.0
Getting Information	2.5
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	2.5
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	2.5
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	2.5
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	2.5
Thinking Creatively	2.5
Processing Information	2.5
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	2.5
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	2.0
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	2.0
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	2.0
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	2.0
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	2.0
Assisting and Caring for Others	2.0
Selling or Influencing Others	2.0
Monitoring and Controlling Resources	2.0
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	2.0
Developing Objectives and Strategies	2.0
Analyzing Data or Information	2.0
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others	2.0
Developing and Building Teams	2.0
Training and Teaching Others	2.0
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	2.0
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	2.0
Scheduling Work and Activities	2.0
Coaching and Developing Others	2.0
Performing Administrative Activities	2.0
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	2.0
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates	2.0
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	1.5
Documenting/Recording Information	1.5
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	1.5
Staffing Organizational Units	1.5
Interacting With Computers	1.5
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	1.0

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Titles

Back Shoe Cutter
Backshoe Person
Belt Maker
Bench Hand
Boot Maker
Boot Repairer
Bootmaker
Bottom Cementer
Cobbler
Cobbler Apprentice
Crowning Inspector
Custom Leather Products Maker
Custom Shoemaker
Cutter
Dyer
Finger Cobbler
Glove Factory Sewer
Hand Bootmaker
Harness Maker
Harnessmaker
Harnessmaker Apprentice
Industrial Sewer
Jack
Jackman
Lacer
Last Repairer Helper
Leather Cutter
Leather Lacer
Leather Production Worker
Leather Stamper
Leather Worker
Leathersmith
Luggage Maker
Luggage Repairer
Mender
Orthopedic Boot and Shoe Designer and Maker
Orthopedic Shoe Maker
Pad Hand
Renovator
Repairer
Saddle and Harness Maker
Saddle Maker
Saddle Mechanic
Sample Shoe Inspector and Reworker
Seamstress
Sewing Machine Operator
Shoe Cobbler
Shoe Cutter
Shoe Designer
Shoe Dyer
Shoe Maker
Shoe Reconditioner
Shoe Repairer
Shoe Repairer Apprentice
Shoe Repairer Helper
Shoe Repairman
Shoe Stainer
Shoe Stitcher
Shoemaker
Shoemaker Apprentice
Skate Maker
Stitcher
Trimming Cutter
Upper Cutter
Western Tack Assembly Line Worker

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Related Schools

Green Country Technology Center
Jefferson Davis Community College