Prevailing Wage for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Prevailing wage for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers (SOC 51-6041) is set by DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. Whether your offer covers work as a Cobbler, Boot Maker, or Leather Worker, DOL sets four experience-based wage levels and the floor shifts significantly by city.
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Entry-level workers with limited experience, typically performing routine tasks under close supervision. No specialized credentials expected. Employers filing at Level 1 are generally hiring candidates who are new to production-line or repair shop environments.
Workers with a foundational skill set who perform standard duties with moderate supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers, reflecting journeyman-level repair, cutting, and assembly work.
Experienced professionals who work independently, handle complex repair or construction tasks, and may provide guidance to junior workers. Typically several years of demonstrated craft experience in footwear, saddlery, or leather goods.
Fully competent senior workers who set quality standards, train others, or lead production. This level covers master cobblers, lead saddle makers, or specialists whose expertise spans the full range of leather construction and repair techniques.
Prevailing Wage for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch the Seattle premium for this occupation
Seattle pays far above the national median for this occupation, with Level 1 wages nearly double the national entry floor. If a Seattle-area offer looks low relative to local cost of living, compare it against the worksite-specific wage before accepting.
Verify your title maps to SOC 51-6041
Job postings for Cobbler, Boot Maker, Saddle and Harness Maker, or Shoe Cutter sometimes get filed under broader production SOC codes, which may carry a lower prevailing wage floor. Confirm with the employer which SOC code their LCA uses.
Find employers who have sponsored this role before
Sponsorship for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers is uncommon. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historical H-1B or green card filings in craft and leather occupations, so you can target outreach to companies with a real sponsorship track record.
Treat signing bonuses as outside the wage floor
DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against the regular rate of pay, not one-time bonuses. A signing bonus offered to close a gap below the Level 2 wage does not satisfy the LCA requirement. Confirm the base salary meets the floor independently.
Jobs for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-6041.00 alongside Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Boot Maker Prevailing Wage
Boot Maker Prevailing Wage
Boot Maker positions fall under SOC 51-6041.00 (Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Cobbler Prevailing Wage
Cobbler Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Cobbler for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-6041.00 (Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Leather Worker Prevailing Wage
Leather Worker Prevailing Wage
Leather Worker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-6041.00 (Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Saddle and Harness Maker Prevailing Wage
Saddle and Harness Maker Prevailing Wage
Saddle and Harness Maker positions fall under SOC 51-6041.00 (Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Shoe Cutter Prevailing Wage
Shoe Cutter Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Shoe Cutter for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-6041.00 (Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Shoe Maker Prevailing Wage
Shoe Maker Prevailing Wage
Shoe Maker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-6041.00 (Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Shoe Repairer Prevailing Wage
Shoe Repairer Prevailing Wage
Shoe Repairer positions fall under SOC 51-6041.00 (Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Shoe Repairman Prevailing Wage
Shoe Repairman Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Shoe Repairman for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-6041.00 (Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Stitcher Prevailing Wage
Stitcher Prevailing Wage
Stitcher is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-6041.00 (Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For SOC 51-6041, the agency segments wages into four levels based on experience and complexity. Employers file a Labor Condition Application through OFLC certifying the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which applies to me?
Level 1 covers entry-level workers under close supervision with limited experience. Level 2 reflects standard, journeyman-level craft work and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 applies to experienced workers operating independently. Level 4 covers senior specialists or lead roles. Your employer selects the level based on the actual duties, supervision received, and complexity described in the job description, not just your years of experience.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much between cities?
DOL sets wages using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so the floor reflects local labor market conditions in each metropolitan area. The LCA must list the actual worksite, not the employer's headquarters, which means a remote-work arrangement or transfer between offices can change the applicable wage. Cities with higher concentrations of specialty footwear or leather goods employers, like Seattle, show significantly higher survey medians than smaller metro markets.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
USCIS will deny the H-1B petition or green card sponsorship if the LCA certifies a wage below the DOL floor for the stated experience level and worksite. The employer cannot substitute bonuses or equity to close the gap. If an offer falls short, the employer must either renegotiate the base salary upward or reclassify the role at the correct experience level before filing with OFLC.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the current four-level wage grid for SOC 51-6041 in any metropolitan area where you would work. Enter the occupation code and the worksite zip code or metro area to retrieve the applicable figures. You can also review OFLC disclosure data to see what wages employers have previously certified for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers filings in that region. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with confirmed sponsorship history in craft occupations if you want to see which companies are actively hiring.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers right now.
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