Skip to content

Prototype—not an official NYS Department of Labor service

Start over

Fence Erectors

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 121 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Least exposedband 1 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 5% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Discuss fencing needs with customers, and estimate and quote prices.

    AI could do much of this on its own

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Establish the location for a fence, and gather information needed to ensure that there are no electric cables or water lines in the area.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Set metal or wooden posts in upright positions in postholes.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Measure and lay out fence lines and mark posthole positions, following instructions, drawings, or specifications.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Align posts, by lines or sighting, and verify vertical alignment of posts, using plumb bobs or spirit levels.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Attach rails or tension wire along bottoms of posts to form fencing frames.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

    Very similar work
    +104% pay101 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 104% more—$100,692 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Trunk Strength
    • Static Strength
    • Design
    • Administration and Management

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Structural Iron and Steel Workers

    Very similar work
    +93% pay240 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 93% more—$95,116 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Trunk Strength
    • Static Strength
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Multilimb Coordination

    New skills to build

    • Gross Body Equilibrium
    • Visualization
    • Control Precision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Auditory Attention
  • Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

    Very similar work
    +28% pay277 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 28% more—$62,936 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Trunk Strength
    • Mechanical
    • Mathematics

    New skills to build

    • Gross Body Equilibrium
  • Construction Laborers

    Very similar work
    +17% pay6,031 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 17% more—$57,446 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Static Strength
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Trunk Strength
    • Multilimb Coordination

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Sheet Metal Workers

    Very similar work
    +54% pay471 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 54% more—$75,758 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Design
    • Mechanical
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Installation
    • Visualization
    • Computers and Electronics
  • Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

    Similar work
    +33% pay608 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 33% more—$65,776 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Trunk Strength
    • Static Strength
    • Building and Construction
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Multilimb Coordination

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Pipelayers

    Similar work
    +47% pay26 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 47% more—$72,282 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Static Strength
    • Mechanical
    • Trunk Strength
    • Public Safety and Security

    New skills to build

    • Installation
    • Chemistry
  • Insulation Workers, Mechanical

    Similar work
    +23% pay110 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 23% more—$60,716 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Building and Construction
    • Administration and Management
    • Design
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
    • Economics and Accounting
    • Personnel and Human Resources
    • Education and Training
    • Mathematics
  • Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

    Similar work
    +82% pay321 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 82% more—$89,511 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Static Strength
    • Transportation
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Flexibility of Closure
    • Control Precision
    • Far Vision
    • Troubleshooting
    • Equipment Maintenance
  • Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

    Similar work
    +153% pay12,294 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 153% more—$124,706 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Static Strength
    • Education and Training
    • Multilimb Coordination

    New skills to build

    • Troubleshooting
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Installation
    • Repairing
    • Near Vision
  • Helpers--Electricians

    Similar work
    slightly less pay398 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$48,491 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Design
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Administration and Management
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Visual Color Discrimination
    • Installation
    • Near Vision
    • Mechanical
    • Public Safety and Security
  • Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

    Similar work
    +8% pay351 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 8% more—$53,409 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Mechanical
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Trunk Strength

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Roofers

    Somewhat similar work
    +38% pay424 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 38% more—$67,802 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Trunk Strength
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Education and Training
    • Multilimb Coordination

    New skills to build

    • Gross Body Equilibrium
  • Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall

    Somewhat similar work
    +23% pay153 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 23% more—$60,702 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Trunk Strength
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Extent Flexibility

    New skills to build

    • Gross Body Equilibrium
  • Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

    Somewhat similar work
    +14% pay112 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 14% more—$56,333 vs your $49,302 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Mathematics
    • Static Strength
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Production and Processing

    Your current skills largely cover this move.