Across U.S. metros, fence installers typically earn $105 more a year than insulation installers (0%). In the 32 metros where BLS publishes both, fence installers earn more in 15 and insulation installers in 17.
| Fence Installer | Insulation Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $48,410 | $48,305 |
| Lowest metro median | $36,360 | $27,040 |
| Highest metro median | $64,600 | $80,000 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +5.6% | +2.4% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 2,500 | 3,000 |
| Self-employed | 21% | 2% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Typical training | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 118 | 312 |
| Metros with pay data | 51 | 106 |
On safety, insulation installers report more injuries that cause missed work (312 vs. 118 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 fence installers out-earn insulation installers the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where insulation installers out-earn fence installers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, fence installers earn more in 16 states and insulation installers in 28. The gap favors fence installers most in West Virginia ($9,650) and insulation installers most in Mississippi ($24,180).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Indoors with heating and air conditioning: sometimes for fence installers, occasionally for insulation installers. Outdoors, in all kinds of weather: very often for fence installers, often for insulation installers.
| Fence Installer | Insulation Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Very often | Often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Sometimes | Occasionally |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Often | Often |
| Working at heights | Often | Often |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Sometimes | Often |
| Loud noise | Very often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Often | Often |
| Sitting | Rarely | Rarely |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Fence Installer
Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.
Insulation Installer
Line and cover structures with insulating materials. May work with batt, roll, or blown insulation materials.
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