Career Explorer Construction and trades
Human edge, growing
Fence erectors
Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.
Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 91% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it low), and US jobs are projected to change by +5.6% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on physical dexterity.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $47,980
- Job growth to 2035
- +5.6%
- Openings a year
- 2,500
- People doing it (2025)
- 30,600
- Usual route in
- No formal credential, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Determine operational methods or procedures
- Prepare mixtures or solutions
- Explain regulations, policies, or procedures
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Build structures
- Position materials or components for assembly
- Perform general construction or extraction activities
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleanersHuman edge, growing, Index 93, +7.8%
- Roustabouts, oil and gasHuman edge, growing, Index 95, +3.6%
- Construction laborersHuman edge, growing, Index 93, +7.3%
- Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workersHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +5.3%
Also known as: Fence Builder, Fence Erector, Fence Installer, Fence Laborer, Fence Contractor, Fence Mechanic, Fence Technician (Fence Tech), Gate Technician (Gate Tech).
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.