How much does a fence erector make?
The median fence erector in the United States earns $46,940 per year, about $22.57 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all fence erectors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-4031.
Fence erector salary range
Pay for fence erectors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $74,660. The average (mean) wage of $50,550 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,090 | $16.87 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $39,040 | $18.77 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,940 | $22.57 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $57,070 | $27.44 | |
| 90th percentile | $74,660 | $35.89 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for fence erectors (SOC 47-4031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Fence erector salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Fence erectors earn the most in Nebraska at $78,780 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $31,480. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $78,780 | N/A |
| Alaska | $63,040 | 100 |
| Illinois | $62,400 | 580 |
| Minnesota | $59,170 | N/A |
| Utah | $57,430 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $56,500 | 790 |
| Hawaii | $56,290 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $56,040 | 380 |
| Washington | $55,240 | 1,250 |
| California | $53,800 | 4,110 |
| Colorado | $52,740 | N/A |
| Kansas | $50,740 | 80 |
| Iowa | $49,970 | 500 |
| Maine | $49,850 | N/A |
| Montana | $49,710 | 520 |
| Nevada | $49,270 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $49,210 | N/A |
| Connecticut | $49,120 | N/A |
| North Dakota | $48,170 | 90 |
| Delaware | $48,010 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $47,860 | N/A |
| Florida | $47,730 | 1,640 |
| Oregon | $47,570 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $47,310 | 230 |
| New York | $46,800 | 1,210 |
| Ohio | $46,610 | 530 |
| Wisconsin | $46,390 | 310 |
| Arizona | $45,970 | 370 |
| Michigan | $45,580 | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $45,560 | N/A |
| Indiana | $43,900 | 330 |
| New Mexico | $43,470 | 220 |
| Idaho | $41,050 | N/A |
| Wyoming | $39,990 | 110 |
| Texas | $39,420 | 1,890 |
| Oklahoma | $39,140 | 230 |
| Virginia | $39,080 | N/A |
| Alabama | $38,920 | 300 |
| South Carolina | $38,790 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $38,600 | 560 |
| Arkansas | $38,530 | 330 |
| Missouri | $37,570 | 720 |
| Tennessee | $37,520 | 570 |
| Georgia | $35,800 | 560 |
| West Virginia | $35,520 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $31,480 | 110 |
State median wages for fence erectors (SOC 47-4031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for fence erectors
The BLS projects employment of fence erectors to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 30,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,500 openings a year for fence erectors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a fence erector
The typical entry-level education for fence erectors is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a fence erector earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Nebraska, $78,780) and the lowest (Louisiana, $31,480) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 22,640 people work as fence erectors in the United States. At $46,940 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Fence erector salary FAQ
How much does a fence erector make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a fence erector is $22.57. The middle half of fence erectors earn between $18.77 and $27.44 per hour.
What is the highest fence erector salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of fence erectors earn more than $74,660 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a fence erector make a year?
The median annual salary for a fence erector is $46,940. The average (mean) wage of $50,550 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a fence erector a well paid job?
At $46,940 a year, a fence erector earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 22,640 people work as fence erectors in the United States.
Which state pays fence erectors the most?
Nebraska has the highest median salary for fence erectors at $78,780 a year. Alaska ($63,040) and Illinois ($62,400) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a fence erector a good career?
Employment of fence erectors is projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a fence erector?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for fence erectors as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Construction & Trades salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.