Shigoto Zukan
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Will AI replace shoe and leather workers and repairers?AI replacement risk 30% and how the work is changing

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$37,800
25th–75th pct. $31,270–$45,670
Top pay (est.)
$68,300
Top 10% $52,550
Pay in 5 years
$43,000est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$49,000est.
$42,100–$56,900
Outlook score
37/100
★★☆☆☆ Below average
AI replacement risk
30%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
−6.5%
1,000 openings / yr

Will AI replace Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers? AI replacement risk

30%
Low
Ranked #254 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers

Key skills

Critical Thinking
2.9
Monitoring
2.6
Active Listening
2.5
Judgment and Decision Making
2.4
Time Management
2.4
Quality Control Analysis
2.2
Service Orientation
2.2
Social Perceptiveness
2.2

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Production and Processing
3.3
Sales and Marketing
2.8
Mechanical
2.7
Education and Training
2.3
Customer and Personal Service
2.3
Engineering and Technology
1.9
Economics and Accounting
1.8
Design
1.6

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Important abilities

Arm-Hand SteadinessNear VisionFinger DexterityManual DexterityControl PrecisionVisualization

Education of workers

High school diploma
56%
Less than high school
44%

Training before entry

None / short demo
65%
Up to 1 month
16%
2–4 years
9%
4–10 years
5%
1–3 months
3%
3–6 months
1%

Related work experience

None
86%
6–12 months
10%
Up to 1 month
2%
1–3 months
1%
2–4 years
1%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.