Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
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.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
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 orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $21K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $25K
Median Salary: $30K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $37K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $41K
Demand
Core Tasks
Attach insoles to shoe lasts, affix shoe uppers, and apply heels and outsoles.
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.
Cement, nail, or sew soles and heels to shoes.
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.
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.
Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
Check the texture, color, and strength of leather to ensure that it is adequate for a particular purpose.
Clean and polish shoes.
Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
Place shoes on lasts to remove soles and heels, using knives or pliers.
Inspect articles for defects, and remove damaged or worn parts, using hand tools.
Read prescriptions or specifications, and take measurements to establish the type of product to be made, using calipers, tape measures, or rules.
Attach accessories or ornamentation to decorate or protect products.
Drill or punch holes and insert or attach metal rings, handles, and fastening hardware, such as buckles.
Select materials and patterns, and trace patterns onto materials to be cut out.
Cut, insert, position, and secure paddings, cushioning, 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, dampening parts and 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.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
62%
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.
English Language
57%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
56%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Mechanical
54%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Administration and Management
51%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Production and Processing
51%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Economics and Accounting
44%
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Sales and Marketing
43%
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Clerical
40%
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Education and Training
40%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
60%
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.
Critical Thinking
58%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking
58%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making
55%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring
55%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Monitoring
55%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Social Perceptiveness
55%
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination
50%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Quality Control Analysis
50%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension
50%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Top 10 Abilities
Finger Dexterity
65%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Manual Dexterity
65%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Near Vision
65%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Arm-Hand Steadiness
63%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision
60%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Multilimb Coordination
60%
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.
Deductive Reasoning
58%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Oral Comprehension
58%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
58%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
58%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Top 10 Work Activities
Handling and Moving Objects
63%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities
60%
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
59%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Controlling Machines and Processes
56%
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
56%
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
56%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Getting Information
55%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
54%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
54%
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
54%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Detailed Work Activities
Cut fabrics.
Attach decorative or functional accessories to products.
Sew clothing or other articles.
Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production.
Select production input materials.
Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
Trim excess material from workpieces.
Estimate costs of products, services, or materials.
Assemble garments or textile products.
Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.
Repair textiles or apparel.
Operate sewing equipment.
Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Apply water or solutions to fabrics or apparel.
Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.
Evaluate quality of materials or products.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Measure clients to ensure proper product fit.
Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.
Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
Design templates or patterns.
Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces.
Confer with customers or designers to determine order specifications.
Work Context
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
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?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
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?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
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?
Education
Interests
Realistic
100%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
67%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Artistic
58%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising
24%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Investigative
24%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social
24%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
83%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
82%
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.
Attention to Detail
80%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Integrity
76%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation
70%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Initiative
70%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
68%
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Achievement/Effort
67%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence
66%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Adaptability/Flexibility
63%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Work Values
Support
48%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Achievement
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Relationships
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
34%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
24%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
