Construction and extraction
Fence erector
Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.
Median pay
$47,980
Growth to 2035
+6%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
2,500
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Fence erector
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Fence erector: 11% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Establish the location for a fence, and gather information needed to ensure that there are no electric cables or water lines in the area.
- Set metal or wooden posts in upright positions in postholes.
- Measure and lay out fence lines and mark posthole positions, following instructions, drawings, or specifications.
- Align posts, by lines or sighting, and verify vertical alignment of posts, using plumb bobs or spirit levels.
- Attach rails or tension wire along bottoms of posts to form fencing frames.
- Dig postholes, using spades, posthole diggers, or power-driven augers.
- Attach fence rail supports to posts, using hammers and pliers.
- Assemble gates, and fasten gates into position, using hand tools.
Also called: Fence Builder · Fence Contractor · Fence Erector · Fence Installer · Fence Laborer · Fence Mechanic · Fence Technician (Fence Tech) · Gate Technician (Gate Tech)
Outlook and AI
Fence erectors held 30,600 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 32,300 by 2035 (+6%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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