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Fence Erectors

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $47,980 Median per year · $23.07/hr Most earn $35,810–$70,010

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Measure and lay out fence lines and mark posthole positions, following instructions, drawings, or specifications.
  • Mix and pour concrete around bases of posts, or tamp soil into postholes to embed posts.
  • Nail top and bottom rails to fence posts, or insert them in slots on posts.
  • Stretch wire, wire mesh, or chain link fencing between posts, and attach fencing to frames.
  • Dig postholes, using spades, posthole diggers, or power-driven augers.
  • Mix and pour concrete around bases of posts, or tamp soil into postholes to embed posts.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 2,500 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Other specialty trade contractors63.6%
  • Self-employed (their own business)21.0%
  • Building material and supplies dealers3.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 3 to 6 months

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 3 to 6 monthsEntry-level

Fence erecting is an entry-level job. You can start with a high school diploma, and most people get up to speed with a few months of hands-on experience, often as a general construction helper first.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school, ideally with basic math, shop, or construction classes that build comfort with measuring and hand and power tools.

  2. Construction Laborer

    3-6 months

    Work on a construction crew doing site cleanup, digging, carrying materials, and helping skilled workers, which teaches you tools, safety habits, and job-site routines.

  3. Fence Erector

    Ongoing

    Set posts, hang panels or chain link, install gates, and repair fences, using hand and power tools while learning the job from experienced installers.

Where it can lead

  1. Fence Crew Lead

    2-3 years of experience first

    You take charge of a small crew, plan jobs, check quality, and train new workers, which requires reliable work habits and good communication.

  2. Carpenter

    1-2 years of experience first

    Moving into carpentry means learning to frame structures, read blueprints, and work on a wider range of building projects, which usually takes further training on the job or in an apprenticeship.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop or construction classesHands-on classes teach you how to use hand and power tools safely, which is the core skill of this job.
  • Take math classes, especially geometryMeasuring angles, distances, and slopes is part of laying out fence lines and setting posts level.
  • Get a summer or weekend job doing yard work or landscapingOutdoor physical work shows employers you can handle the demands of the job and helps you learn to work on a team.
  • Join a trade-related club such as SkillsUSA or a school construction clubThese groups build practical skills and show future employers that you are serious about working with your hands.
  • Learn basic job-site safetyKnowing how to wear protective gear and spot hazards makes you a stronger candidate for entry-level crew positions.

In college

  • Take courses in construction technology or basic carpentryClasses that cover tools, materials, and building methods give you a foundation that employers recognize.
  • Work a part-time job on a construction, landscaping, or property maintenance crewHands-on experience during school builds the months of practical experience that fence employers look for.
  • Earn a safety certification such as OSHA 10-hour constructionThis short course shows employers you understand job-site hazards, which can help you get hired and move up faster.
  • Join a student trades or construction clubClubs offer networking with local contractors and chances to learn from people already working in the field.
  • Ask a fence company about a summer internship or seasonal workSeasonal work gives you direct exposure to fence installation and a chance to show your work ethic to the people who might hire you full time.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask local fence companies or contractors whether they hire helpers or laborers with no experience, since that is often the easiest way to get your first few months on a crew.
  • Learn basic safety rules for power tools and digging, such as checking for underground utilities before you dig, because employers value workers who stay safe.
  • Get a valid driver's license and be willing to work outdoors in different weather, since many fence jobs involve travel to customer properties and physical work.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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