Fence Erectors

Fence Erectors score 5 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #820 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 20 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 0 more with extra software built on top of it. None of its tasks showed up in real AI use in April–May 2026.

5/ 100

Low

Rank: #820of 923 jobs
US workers: 24,480BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $47,980a year
In real AI use: 0 of 20tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (5%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 0 (0%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 19 (95%)

Discuss fencing needs with customers, and estimate and quote prices.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Establish the location for a fence, and gather information needed to ensure that there are no electric cables or water lines in the area.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Set metal or wooden posts in upright positions in postholes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Measure and lay out fence lines and mark posthole positions, following instructions, drawings, or specifications.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Align posts, by lines or sighting, and verify vertical alignment of posts, using plumb bobs or spirit levels.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Attach rails or tension wire along bottoms of posts to form fencing frames.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Dig postholes, using spades, posthole diggers, or power-driven augers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Attach fence rail supports to posts, using hammers and pliers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Assemble gates, and fasten gates into position, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Mix and pour concrete around bases of posts, or tamp soil into postholes to embed posts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Make rails for fences, by sawing lumber or by cutting metal tubing to required lengths.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Nail top and bottom rails to fence posts, or insert them in slots on posts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Stretch wire, wire mesh, or chain link fencing between posts, and attach fencing to frames.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Complete top fence rails of metal fences by connecting tube sections, using metal sleeves.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Erect alternate panel, basket weave, and louvered fences.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Insert metal tubing through rail supports.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Nail pointed slats to rails to construct picket fences.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Construct and repair barriers, retaining walls, trellises, and other types of fences, walls, and gates.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Weld metal parts together, using portable gas welding equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Blast rock formations and rocky areas with dynamite to facilitate posthole digging.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about fence erectors and AI

Will AI replace fence erectors?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Fence Erectors score 5 out of 100 (low exposure), #820 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 1 of the job's 20 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 19 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which fence erectors tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Discuss fencing needs with customers, and estimate and quote prices".

Which fence erectors tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "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".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Not much yet. None of the job's tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude in April–May 2026, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as fence erectors, and what do they earn?

About 24,480 people in the US, with median pay of $47,980 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.