What Does a Fence Installer Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

Fence Installer

Also called: Fence Erector · Fence Builder · Fencing Contractor · Chain Link Installer

What fence installers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated October 18, 2026By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team

What does a fence installer do?

Fence erectors erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools. The median pay is $47,980 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +5.6% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$47,980
$23.07/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+5.6%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
2,500
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
BLS classification
Time to train
A few months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
30,600
Employment, 2025

What fence installers do

Fence installers build boundaries. They locate utilities, lay out fence lines, dig post holes, set posts in concrete, install panels, rails, chain-link fabric and gates for homes, farms and businesses.

No formal education is required, and training is moderate. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

Call for utility locates
Lay out fence lines
Dig post holes
Set posts
Install panels and rails
Hang gates
Clean up

Work environment and schedule

Installers work outdoors at homes, farms and businesses.

Schedule: Full time, seasonal in cold regions.

A day in the life

7:00 AMLoad the truck.
8:00 AMCheck utility marks.
8:30 AMString the fence line.
9:30 AMAuger post holes.

See a full day in the life of a fence installer →

Fence Installer salary

Half of fence installers earned more than $47,980 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,810 for the lowest 10% to $70,010 for the top 10%.

$35,81010th$47,980Median$70,01090th

Full fence installer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a fence installer

Work as a helper
Learn layout and setting
Learn gates
Lead installs
Start a business

No formal educational credential is required.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a fence installer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Layout
Post setting
Panel installation
Chain-link stretching
Gate hanging

People skills

Precision
Stamina
Customer service
Teamwork

All fence installer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Faster-than-average growth
Outdoor work
Can be self-employed
Short path to work

Cons

Heavy work
Weather
Rocky soil
Seasonal

Certifications and licenses

AFA training: American Fence Association.
OSHA 10: Safety.
Contractor license: If required locally.
Skid steer training: Helpful.

Career path

Helper: Entry.
Installer: Install.
Crew Lead: Lead.
Fence Contractor: Business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Fence Installer training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as set fence posts straight and strong and stretch chain-link fabric, safety and how to land your first job.

View Fence Installer training Is this career right for me?

Landscaper

Plant, mow, trim and care for lawns, gardens and outdoor spaces.

$39,150
1–4 weeks

Carpenter

Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.

$60,580
3–4 years (apprenticeship)

Construction Laborer

Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.

$47,120
Days to weeks (on the job)

Welder

Join and cut metal with MIG, TIG and stick welding for construction and manufacturing.

$53,750
3–18 months

Compare: Fence Installer vs. Landscaper · Fence Installer vs. Carpenter · Fence Installer vs. Construction Laborer · Fence Installer vs. Welder

Fence Installer FAQ

Is fencing growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.

Do I need a license?

Some areas require a contractor license.

Is it seasonal?

Often.

How much does a fence installer make?

The median annual wage for fence installers was $47,980 ($23.07 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,810 and the highest 10% earned more than $70,010.

How long does it take to become a fence installer?

Most people need about A few months on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.

Do you need a degree to be a fence installer?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-4031 (Fence erectors).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Fence erectors (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.