In the United States, the total hours worked in the leather products sector is projected to decrease steadily from 44.0 million hours in 2024 to 36.0 million hours by 2028. This indicates a year-on-year decline of approximately 4.76% over each consecutive year. Notably, in 2023, the hours worked were higher, signaling a decreasing trend over the forecast period.

Future trends to watch for:

Automation and technology integration which might replace manual labor, reducing hours worked.
Shifts in consumer demand towards sustainable and synthetic alternatives could impact the leather industry workforce.
Potential trade policy changes and economic factors that might affect export volumes and, consequently, industry employment.