# Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders

> Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/shoe-machine-operators-and-tenders
- SOC code: 51-6042.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $35,650 (10th percentile $26,560, 90th percentile $47,700)
- Projected growth: Decline, -6.9%
- Openings a year: 400
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 95 |
| Investigative (I) | 13 |
| Artistic (A) | 11 |
| Social (S) | 5 |
| Enterprising (E) | 9 |
| Conventional (C) | 48 |

## What you'd do

- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 76/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 71/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 69/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 68/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 68/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 66/100)
- Training and Teaching Others (importance 65/100)
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 64/100)
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (importance 62/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Quality Control Analysis, Speaking, Time Management

## Knowledge

Production and Processing, Administration and Management, Education and Training, Customer and Personal Service, Personnel and Human Resources, Public Safety and Security, Engineering and Technology, Administrative, Sales and Marketing, English Language

## Also called

Anchor Operator, Anchorer, Ankle Patch Molder, Apron Trimmer, Arch Cushion Press Operator, Archer, Back Closer, Back Stayer, Back Strip Machine Operator, Back Wedger

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- Leatherworking and Upholstery (CIP 4803, 9 colleges)

## Related careers

- [Sewing Machine Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sewing-machine-operators): $36,670 median pay
- [Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutting-and-slicing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $46,570 median pay
- [Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/shoe-and-leather-workers-and-repairers): $37,800 median pay
- [Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/grinding-and-polishing-workers-hand): $42,660 median pay
- [Cutters and Trimmers, Hand](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutters-and-trimmers-hand): $38,020 median pay
- [Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/grinding-lapping-polishing-and-buffing-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal): $46,550 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.