Skilled Trades
Fence Erectors
Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.
Median salary (BLS)
$47,980
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$36k – $70k
Job outlook
+5% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Fence Erectors
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$100–$2,600
Time to qualify
3.1 yr
Renewal
$50/yr
- 1
Registered apprenticeship (paid)
ExperienceEarn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.
$0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source
- 2
Journeyman exam & state/local license
LicenseMost states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.
$100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Fence Erectors" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior Fence Erectors
Entry / Junior
$35,810
~2 yrs to advance
Fence Erectors
Established
$47,980
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Fence Erectors
Senior
$58,995
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.