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Residential Construction
D.R. Horton, Lennar, PulteGroup
Fence Erectors
Fence erectors build and repair fences, gates, and related barriers for homes, businesses, farms, and construction sites. The work is hands-on and exacting: posts have to be straight, materials have to line up, and a bad layout can make the whole fence look crooked or fail early. The tradeoff is that the job is relatively easy to enter, but it is physically demanding, weather-dependent, and the pay and long-term growth are modest.
Also known as Fence InstallerFence BuilderFence TechnicianFence and Gate InstallerChain Link Fence Installer
Median Salary
$46,940
Mean $50,550
U.S. Workforce
~23K
2.3K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+4.6%
26.4K to 27.6K
Entry Education
No formal educational credential
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Fence Erectors sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~23K workers, with a median annual pay of $46,940 and roughly 2.3K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 26.4 K in 2024 to 27.6K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with No Formal Educational Credential, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Fence Laborer and can progress toward Fence Foreman. High-value skills usually include Tape Measures, Levels & Layout Tools, Post-Hole Diggers, Augers & Shovels, and Concrete Mixing & Post Setting, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Coordination, and Critical Thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Measure the job site and mark exactly where each fence post should go.
- Dig post holes, set the posts, and check that they stand straight before moving on.
- Mix concrete or pack soil around the posts so they stay firmly in place.
- Stretch wire, mesh, chain link, or fence panels between the posts and fasten everything securely.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Measure the job site and mark exactly where each fence post should go.
02 Dig post holes, set the posts, and check that they stand straight before moving on.
03 Mix concrete or pack soil around the posts so they stay firmly in place.
04 Stretch wire, mesh, chain link, or fence panels between the posts and fasten everything securely.
05 Build, hang, and adjust gates and other opening sections so they swing and latch properly.
06 Talk with customers about what they need, give price estimates, and repair damaged fences, walls, or barriers.
Industries That Hire
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Commercial Construction
Turner Construction, Skanska, Gilbane Building Company
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Fencing and Exterior Contracting
Superior Fence & Rail, Hercules Fence, Empire Fence
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Utilities and Energy Infrastructure
Duke Energy, Southern Company, Exelon
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Agriculture and Ranching
Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS USA
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get started without a college degree, and BLS says no prior work experience is needed.
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The work is tangible: when a job is done, you can see the fence, gate, or barrier that you built.
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The job mixes measuring, layout, and hands-on construction, so the work is more varied than a pure labor role.
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Pay is respectable for an accessible trade, with mean annual wages of $50,550 and a median of $46,940.
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There are steady openings, about 2.3 thousand a year, so people who learn the trade have a real chance to find work.
Challenges
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Most of the job is outdoors, so heat, cold, rain, mud, and uneven ground are part of the normal workday.
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It is physically hard on the body because you spend a lot of time lifting posts, digging, mixing concrete, and handling tools.
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The field is growing only 4.6% from 2024 to 2034, with just 1.2 thousand new jobs projected, so it is not a fast-expanding trade.
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Career growth can top out unless you move into supervising, estimating, or running your own fence business.
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Wages can be squeezed by subcontracting and price competition, and demand can rise and fall with construction spending and the weather.
Career Progression
Fence Laborer
0-1 years
$32K-$40K
New workers help carry materials, dig holes, and clean up the site while learning layout, alignment, and safe tool use.
Fence Erector
1-4 years
$41K-$56K
At this level, workers can set posts, install fencing, hang gates, and handle most jobs on their own; this tier includes the role's median pay of $46,940.
Lead Fence Installer THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$57K-$69K
Experienced workers lead small crews, handle trickier layouts, solve fit issues on site, and keep jobs moving on schedule.
Fence Foreman
10+ years
$70K-$86K
Supervisors manage crews, estimate labor and materials, coordinate with customers or contractors, and troubleshoot problems before they become costly.
Education Paths
No Formal Educational Credential
BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry point, and workers usually learn the basics through moderate-term on-the-job training.
High School Diploma or Equivalent
This is the most common education level in the field, held by 47.51% of workers in this role.
Less Than High School Diploma
A large share of workers, 29.4%, enter with less than a high school diploma.
Post-Secondary Certificate
A small share of workers, 1.01%, enter with a post-secondary certificate.
Key Skills
Technical
Tape Measures, Levels & Layout Tools 82%
Post-Hole Diggers, Augers & Shovels 79%
Concrete Mixing & Post Setting 76%
Chain Link, Wire Mesh & Fence Panel Installation 74%
Hand Tools (Hammers, Pliers, Wrenches) 71%
Gate Hardware, Hinges & Latches 69%
Small Equipment Operation (Skid Steers, Plate Compactors) 66%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningCoordinationCritical ThinkingMonitoringSpeakingTime Management Job Outlook and Trends
+4.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2.3K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 26.4K to 27.6 K over the next decade, representing 4.6% growth. Around 2.3 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.