Industry reference
Seven sourced figures on the material, manufacturing and skilled work behind American leather goods.
Last updated July 27, 2026
At a glance
Leather goods begin with a large agricultural and industrial supply chain, then become personal through the work of tanneries, repairers and small workshops. These figures put that path in context using the latest available U.S. government data.
29.8 million
That was 6% fewer than in 2024. The USDA reports that 98.2% of the 2025 total was federally inspected.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Livestock Slaughter 2025 Summary, released April 2026 ↗26.1 billion lb
The annual total was 4% below the prior year, according to the USDA's final 2025 slaughter summary.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Livestock Slaughter 2025 Summary, released April 2026 ↗937 plants
The count refers to federally inspected U.S. plants reporting cattle slaughter during the year.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Livestock Slaughter 2025 Summary, released April 2026 ↗47%
It is a useful reminder that the material supply chain behind leather goods is highly concentrated before a hide reaches a tannery or workshop.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Livestock Slaughter 2025 Summary, released April 2026 ↗1,544
This federal industry group includes tanning and finishing, footwear, and other leather goods; it also includes comparable goods made from leather substitutes when they are made in the same kinds of establishments.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing: NAICS 316, data extracted July 22, 2026 ↗5,700
The same federal data lists a median annual wage of $37,120 for that occupation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing: NAICS 316, 2025 occupational data ↗+3.1%
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that gain after declines of 2.9% in 2023 and 7.5% in 2024.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing: NAICS 316, 2025 productivity data ↗
The human scale
Federal industry totals capture the scale behind leather. A finished piece is still shaped by the choices made at the bench: how it is cut, stitched, finished and carried over time.
Read the leather care guideMethodology and sources
This page uses the latest final annual slaughter figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the latest industry figures published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of July 27, 2026. “Leather and allied product manufacturing” is a federal classification that includes tanning, footwear and other leather goods, along with comparable substitute-material goods made in the same kinds of establishments.
The Kilted Leatherworker. “U.S. Leather Industry Statistics (2026).” Updated July 27, 2026. https://kiltedleatherworker.com/leather-industry-statistics