Careers · Explore one path
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
Other titles employers use
Boot Maker · Cobbler · Leather Worker · Saddle and Harness Maker · Shoe Cutter · Shoe Maker · Shoe Repairer · Shoe Repairman
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
- 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, or rivets.
- Repair and recondition leather products such as trunks, luggage, shoes, saddles, belts, purses, and baseball gloves.
- Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
- Inspect articles for defects, and remove damaged or worn parts, using hand tools.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and creative work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Production and Processing
Useful strengths
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Finger Dexterity
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 4.3 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 5.0 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Accounting software
- Inventory management software
- Point of sale POS software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,950
- Job openings each year
- 340
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- −9.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2,950 | 340 | −9.2% |
| Florida | 920 | 110 | 9.5% |
| New York | 610 | 0 | −14.1% |
| Utah | 510 | 60 | — |
| Tennessee | 360 | 40 | 5.9% |
| Wisconsin | 360 | 40 | −14.3% |
| Illinois | 290 | 30 | −9.4% |
| Maine | 270 | 30 | −12.9% |
| Minnesota | 230 | 30 | −4.2% |
| New Jersey | 200 | 20 | — |
| Ohio | 200 | 20 | −13.0% |
| Michigan | 190 | 20 | −9.5% |
| North Carolina | 170 | 20 | — |
| Missouri | 150 | 20 | −11.8% |
| Georgia | 140 | 20 | — |
| Idaho | 120 | 10 | — |
| Massachusetts | 120 | 20 | — |
| Nebraska | 110 | 10 | — |
| Colorado | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Montana | 90 | 10 | −35.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 90 | 10 | −10.0% |
| Washington | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Indiana | 80 | 10 | −20.0% |
| Oregon | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Virginia | 80 | 10 | −11.1% |
| Arizona | 60 | 10 | — |
| Iowa | 60 | 10 | −25.0% |
| New Hampshire | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Louisiana | 50 | 10 | — |
| Kentucky | 40 | 0 | −20.0% |
| Alabama | 30 | 0 | — |
| Nevada | 30 | 0 | — |
| Delaware | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.