Across U.S. metros, concrete finishers typically earn $8,835 more a year than fence installers (18%). In the 51 metros where BLS publishes both, concrete finishers earn more in 47 and fence installers in 4.
| Concrete Finisher | Fence Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $57,245 | $48,410 |
| Lowest metro median | $27,610 | $36,360 |
| Highest metro median | $104,450 | $64,600 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +1.6% | +5.6% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 13,600 | 2,500 |
| Self-employed | 2% | 21% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Typical training | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 25 | 118 |
| Metros with pay data | 334 | 51 |
On safety, fence installers report more injuries that cause missed work (118 vs. 25 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where concrete finishers out-earn fence installers the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where fence installers out-earn concrete finishers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, concrete finishers earn more in 42 states and fence installers in 3. The gap favors concrete finishers most in Alaska ($28,360) and fence installers most in Louisiana ($2,590).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Indoors with heating and air conditioning: rarely for concrete finishers, sometimes for fence installers. Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles: occasionally for concrete finishers, sometimes for fence installers.
| Concrete Finisher | Fence Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Very often | Very often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Very often | Often |
| Working at heights | Occasionally | Often |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Very often | Very often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Very often | Often |
| Sitting | Rarely | Rarely |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Concrete Finisher
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.
Fence Installer
Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.
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