Career comparison
Fence Installer vs. Landscaper
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Fence installers earn more at the median ($47,980 vs. $39,150), while landscapers usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Fence installers build wood, vinyl, chain-link and metal fences. Landscapers plant, mow, trim and care for lawns, gardens and outdoor spaces.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Fence Installer | Landscaper | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,980 ($23.07/hr) | $39,150 ($18.82/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,810 – $70,010 | $31,150 – $56,730 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.6% (faster than average) | +4.7% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 2,500 | 149,500 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | A few months on the job | 1–4 weeks |
| Key credential | AFA training | NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician |
| Work setting | Installers work outdoors at homes, farms and businesses.. | Landscapers work outdoors in heat, cold and rain, using power equipment and lifting heavy materials.. |
What each job does
Fence Installer
- Call for utility locates
- Lay out fence lines
- Dig post holes
- Set posts
- Install panels and rails
Landscaper
- Mow, edge and trim lawns
- Plant trees, shrubs and flowers
- Spread mulch and install sod
- Prune shrubs and small trees
- Install and repair irrigation
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working outdoors, physical work, and in-demand. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and agriculture, landscaping & animal care, but share transferable skills such as precision and stamina.
Which should you choose?
Choose fence installer if…
- I like outdoor work
- I like building
- I’m strong
Choose landscaper if…
- I love being outdoors
- I don’t mind hard work
- I want to start right away
Still torn? Take the Fence Installer fit quiz and the Landscaper fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, fence installer or landscaper?
Fence Installers earn more at the median: $47,980 versus $39,150 for landscapers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Landscapers typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than fence installers (A few months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects fence installers to grow +5.6% from 2025–35, compared with +4.7% for landscapers.