Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Low22.86%
Found in Industries:
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$25,620
Median$36,020
High (90th %)$48,440
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Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
The occupation "Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers" has an automation risk of 22.9%, which is just slightly lower than its base risk of 23.1%. This modest risk indicates that while certain tasks within this field are susceptible to automation, the profession as a whole maintains significant elements that resist full mechanization. The relatively low automation risk reflects the blend of routine manual work and tasks that require fine manual dexterity and judgment—skills that are currently challenging for AI and robotics to replicate efficiently and cost-effectively. Among the most automatable tasks in this occupation are activities that are repetitive and involve clear, rule-based procedures. For instance, tasks like nailing heel and toe cleats onto shoes, dyeing or stamping leather, and cutting out parts along patterns or outlines can be efficiently handled by machines. Automation technologies, such as robotic arms or computer-controlled cutting machines, can replicate these actions due to their precision and consistency. As a result, shoe and leather work that primarily involves these steps is increasingly susceptible to process automation, especially in larger-scale manufacturing settings. However, several critical duties within the role are much less amenable to automation due to their reliance on human expertise and creativity. Selecting materials and patterns, making or repairing specialized orthopedic footwear, and artistically embellishing or protecting leather goods require not only skill but also judgment and a nuanced understanding of customer needs or design requirements. These tasks demand original thinking and customization, marked by bottleneck skills such as originality, which currently stand at low automation probabilities (2.3% and 1.5%). This reliance on uniquely human capabilities contributes to the occupation’s overall resistance to being fully automated, underpinning its lower-than-average risk score.
Filter by Automatable Status
Nail heel and toe cleats onto shoes.
Non-Automatable
Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
Non-Automatable
Cut out parts, following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
Automatable
Construct, decorate, or repair leather products according to specifications, using sewing machines, needles and thread, leather lacing, glue, clamps, hand tools, or rivets.
Non-Automatable
Repair and recondition leather products such as trunks, luggage, shoes, saddles, belts, purses, and baseball gloves.
Non-Automatable
Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
Non-Automatable
Inspect articles for defects, and remove damaged or worn parts, using hand tools.
Non-Automatable
Drill or punch holes and insert or attach metal rings, handles, and fastening hardware, such as buckles.
Non-Automatable
Prepare inserts, heel pads, and lifts from casts of customers' feet.
Partially Automatable
Attach insoles to shoe lasts, affix shoe uppers, and apply heels and outsoles.
Partially Automatable
Clean and polish shoes.
Non-Automatable
Cement, nail, or sew soles and heels to shoes.
Partially Automatable
Check the texture, color, and strength of leather to ensure that it is adequate for a particular purpose.
Partially Automatable
Shape shoe heels with a knife, and sand them on a buffing wheel for smoothness.
Non-Automatable
Place shoes on lasts to remove soles and heels, using knives or pliers.
Non-Automatable
Cut, insert, position, and secure paddings, cushioning, or linings, using stitches or glue.
Non-Automatable
Estimate the costs of requested products or services such as custom footwear or footwear repair, and receive payment from customers.
Automatable
Draw patterns, using measurements, designs, plaster casts, or customer specifications, and position or outline patterns on work pieces.
Partially Automatable
Stretch shoes, dampening parts and inserting and twisting parts, using an adjustable stretcher.
Non-Automatable
Attach accessories or ornamentation to decorate or protect products.
Non-Automatable
Make, modify, and repair orthopedic or therapeutic footwear according to doctors' prescriptions, or modify existing footwear for people with foot problems and special needs.
Non-Automatable
Select materials and patterns, and trace patterns onto materials to be cut out.
Partially Automatable
Dress and otherwise finish boots or shoes, as by trimming the edges of new soles and heels to the shoe shape.
Non-Automatable
Repair or replace soles, heels, and other parts of footwear, using sewing, buffing and other shoe repair machines, materials, and equipment.
Non-Automatable
Re-sew seams, and replace handles and linings of suitcases or handbags.
Non-Automatable
Read prescriptions or specifications, and take measurements to establish the type of product to be made, using calipers, tape measures, or rules.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningScienceCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingInstallationEquipment MaintenanceQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionProgrammingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationTime ManagementManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Personnel Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationTherapy and CounselingPublic Safety and Security
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationGetting InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with Computers
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
Low18.90%
Perform precision assembling or adjusting, within narrow tolerances, of timing devices such as digital clocks or timing devices with electrical or electronic components.
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Medium46.07%
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Print Binding and Finishing Workers
Low26.68%
Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Low31.21%
Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Low22.15%
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
Sewing Machine Operators
Medium33.40%
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium41.68%
Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
Sewers, Hand
Low11.23%
Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Low22.39%
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Upholsterers
Low20.15%
Make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.
Furniture Finishers
Low24.64%
Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Medium40.69%
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Medium56.41%
Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
Medium34.83%
Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Medium35.73%
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Etchers and Engravers
Medium44.61%
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Medium44.30%
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
Low13.87%
Cut or carve stone according to diagrams and patterns.
Craft Artists
Medium47.40%
Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
Fashion Designers
Medium42.81%
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Floral Designers
Medium44.24%
Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.
Costume Attendants
Medium44.55%
Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.
Barbers
Medium37.02%
Provide barbering services, such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling hair; trimming beards; or giving shaves.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
Low29.04%
Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.
Manicurists and Pedicurists
Low17.84%
Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
Models
Low32.12%
Model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.
Bicycle Repairers
Low14.10%
Repair and service bicycles.
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
Low15.30%
Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Medium53.64%
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Gem and Diamond Workers
Medium45.82%
Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
Medical Appliance Technicians
Low24.63%
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
Potters, Manufacturing
Medium37.41%
Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.