In 1860 Ohio, a shoemaker earned $1.50 per day, working six days a week for 10 to 12 hours daily, totaling $9.00 per week and $468.00 per year. While wages were low, the cost of goods was significantly cheaper, brown sugar was $0.16 per pound, sausages were $0.18 per pound, and heavy boots cost $5.78 (nearly four days’ wages). Stockings were $0.48 per pair, making even basic clothing a notable expense.
Shoemakers faced challenges such as tariffs on imported leather, long hours, and the rise of mechanized factories, which threatened independent craftsmen by reducing wages and forcing many into factory work. Although there was no federal income tax yet, economic downturns and competition made steady employment uncertain.
Today, shoemakers earn between $30,000 and $50,000 per year, but the cost of living is much higher. In 1860, gold was $20.67 per ounce, while today it exceeds $2,000 per ounce. Though shoemaking remains a skilled trade, most shoes are mass-produced, making traditional cobblers a rarity. The transition from handcrafting to industrial production reflects the broader economic changes that shaped the 19th century and continue to impact labor markets today.