Find Trade Colleges
Fence Erectors: Job Description
Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.
What Tasks Do Fence Erectors Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of fence erectors cover:
- 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.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective fence erectors rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The competencies that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Fence Erectors Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Chain Link Fence Installer
- Fence Builder
- Fence Contractor
- Fence Erector
- Fence Installer
- Fence Laborer
- Fence Mechanic
- Fence Repairman
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 84,879 fence erectors working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +4.0% over the projection horizon.
Fence Erectors Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $72,534 |
| Hourly median | $34.87 |
| 10th percentile | $52,496 |
| 25th percentile | $62,515 |
| 75th percentile | $82,554 |
| 90th percentile | $92,573 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Fence Erectors Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Nebraska | $78,780 |
| Alaska | $63,040 |
| Illinois | $62,400 |
| Minnesota | $59,170 |
| Utah | $57,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,500 |
| Hawaii | $56,290 |
| New Jersey | $56,040 |
| Washington | $55,240 |
| California | $53,800 |
| Colorado | $52,740 |
| Kansas | $50,740 |
| Iowa | $49,970 |
| Maine | $49,850 |
| Montana | $49,710 |
| Nevada | $49,270 |
| South Dakota | $49,210 |
| Connecticut | $49,120 |
| North Dakota | $48,170 |
| Delaware | $48,010 |
| New Hampshire | $47,860 |
| Florida | $47,730 |
| Oregon | $47,570 |
| Kentucky | $47,310 |
| New York | $46,800 |
| Ohio | $46,610 |
| Wisconsin | $46,390 |
| Arizona | $45,970 |
| Michigan | $45,580 |
| Massachusetts | $45,560 |
| Indiana | $43,900 |
| New Mexico | $43,470 |
| Idaho | $41,050 |
| Wyoming | $39,990 |
| Texas | $39,420 |
| Oklahoma | $39,140 |
| Virginia | $39,080 |
| Alabama | $38,920 |
| South Carolina | $38,790 |
| North Carolina | $38,600 |
| Arkansas | $38,530 |
| Missouri | $37,570 |
| Tennessee | $37,520 |
| Georgia | $35,800 |
| West Virginia | $35,520 |
| Louisiana | $31,480 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Compensation for fence erectors shift depending on where you work. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $54,166 | 29.1% | 1.73 |
| Middle Atlantic | $51,409 | 12.8% | 0.84 |
| Great Lakes | $50,760 | 10.1% | 0.63 |
| Rocky Mountains | $48,012 | 3.3% | 6.25 |
| Plains States | $43,474 | 7.3% | 1.78 |
| Southeast | $41,660 | 23.3% | 1.06 |
| Southwest | $40,619 | 14.2% | 0.97 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Fence Erectors
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | NE | $78,790 | 90 |
| Anchorage, AK | AK | $63,040 | 80 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $60,240 | 400 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | PA | $59,440 | 340 |
| New Haven, CT | CT | $58,770 | 80 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $57,470 | 710 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | UT | $57,430 | |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | CA | $57,180 | 190 |
Which Industries Hire Fence Erectors
The largest employers of fence erectors are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 20,010 | $47,310 |
| Manufacturing | 500 | $47,710 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 230 | $52,000 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 60 | $106,540 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Software Fence Erectors Use
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Web page creation and editing software: Facebook (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
Work Environment
The on-the-job environment of fence erectors tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
Education and Training
Entry-level fence erectors positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Carpenters (Primary-Short)
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (Primary-Long)
- Construction Laborers (Primary-Long)
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (Primary-Short)
- Electricians (Supplemental)
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall (Primary-Long)
- Insulation Workers, Mechanical (Supplemental)
- Pipelayers (Supplemental)
References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 47-4031.00 (Fence Erectors).
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.