Fence Erectors vs Helpers--Roofers: $48K vs $44K Median Pay

Fence Erectors vs Helpers--Roofers: what changes?

Consider Fence Erectors if you want to erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools. Consider Helpers--Roofers if you would rather help roofers by performing duties requiring less skill. Both list no formal educational credential; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Fence Erectors and Helpers--Roofers. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Fence Erectors

National median pay (2025): $47,980
Route into the job: No formal educational credential; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Establish the location for a fence, and gather information needed to ensure that there are no electric cables or water lines in the area.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 2,500

Know before you choose

Deadline pressure is a recurring condition rather than an occasional emergency.

See the full Fence Erectors brief

Helpers--Roofers

National median pay (2025): $44,160
Route into the job: No formal educational credential; One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Check to ensure that completed roofs are watertight.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 600

Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 0.1% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Helpers--Roofers brief

How the national numbers differ

Fence Erectors has the edge on projected growth

Fence Erectors is at 5.6% projected growth, compared with -0.1% projected growth for Helpers--Roofers.

Fence Erectors has the edge on annual openings

Fence Erectors is at 2,500 annual openings, compared with 600 annual openings for Helpers--Roofers.

Fence Erectors has the edge on median pay

Fence Erectors is at $47,980, compared with $44,160 for Helpers--Roofers.

50.2/ 100

Fence Erectors

27/ 100

Helpers--Roofers

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence