Fence Erectors
Construction and Extraction
Marks the fence line from drawings or instructions, then checks that the path is clear of electric cables and water lines. Postholes get dug with a spade, posthole digger, or powered auger; posts are set plumb and aligned by sight or string. Rails or tension wire go on next, then the fencing and any gates, fastened with hammers, pliers, and other hand tools. Digging, setting posts, and working outdoors along the line make the job physical. A match for people who like measuring, aligning, and putting up something that has to stand straight.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$47'980
Median Wage Market Position
$47'980
What you might do
- Set metal or wooden posts upright in holes
- Fasten rails or tension wire to the posts
- Measure fence lines and mark where posts go
- Dig postholes with a spade or power auger
- Check the ground for buried cables and water lines
- Build gates and hang them on the posts
Skills that matter
- Listening to drawings and site instructions
- Checking for buried cables and water lines
- Setting posts plumb with spirit levels
- Measuring and marking posthole positions
- Working with the crew on rail frames
- Assembling and fastening gates in place
AI & the future of this role
Setting posts and hanging gates is outdoor, site-specific labor that tools and robots struggle to standardize across uneven ground. Planning software might help with layouts, but the hands-on install and repair work is likely to remain central.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details