Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders job outlookprojected pay in 10 years $45,600 · outlook score 32/100 · BLS employment projections

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$35,650
25th–75th pct. $29,090–$43,090
Top pay (est.)
$62,000
Top 10% $47,700
Pay in 5 years
$40,300est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$45,600est.
$39,200–$53,000
Outlook score
32/100
★★☆☆☆ Below average
AI replacement risk
44%
Moderate
Job growth (10 yr)
−6.9%
400 openings / yr

Projected pay for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders (3, 5 and 10 years)est.

Today $35,650 → in 3 years $38,400 → in 5 years $40,300 → in 10 years $45,600 (10-year range $39,200–$53,000). The model assumes pay growth of +2.5% per year.

$35,650
Now
2026
$38,400
In 3 yrs
2029
$35,400–$41,800
$40,300
In 5 yrs
2031
$36,300–$44,900
$45,600
In 10 yrs
2036
$39,200–$53,000

What drives the annual growth rate

Base wage growth +3.0%Labor demand -0.55%AI impact +0.04%Total +2.5% / yr

Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →

Outlook score for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders

32/100
★★☆☆☆
Below average · ranked #773 of all U.S. occupations
Pay level
4 pts
AI resistance
56 pts
Entry barrier
11 pts
Annual openings
76 pts
Projected growth
9 pts

Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.

Labor demand for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders

Employment
3,280
BLS OEWS
Projected employment
4,200
2025–35
Projected change
−6.9%
ranked #746 for growth
Annual openings
400
growth + replacement needs
Demand score
Low
28/100
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None
in a related occupation
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training

Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.

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.