Statewide pay Government data
Fence installers in California earn a statewide median of $56,060 a year, 16% above the typical U.S. metro, ranking #5 of 45 states. About 3,150 people work in the trade statewide.
Statewide pay range
States ranked near California
See all states on the fence installers nationwide.
Pay by city Government data
| Metro | Median pay | Real pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| ModestoCALIFORNIA · CA | $59,600 | $57,248 | 40 |
| StocktonCALIFORNIA · CA | $58,750 | $55,905 | 150 |
| San FranciscoCALIFORNIA · CA | $58,640 | $50,721 | 270 |
| San JoseCALIFORNIA · CA | $58,250 | $52,752 | 210 |
| OxnardCALIFORNIA · CA | $56,310 | $50,944 | 100 |
| RiversideCALIFORNIA · CA | $55,060 | $51,728 | 420 |
| Los AngelesCALIFORNIA · CA | $50,290 | $44,283 | 710 |
| SacramentoCALIFORNIA · CA | $48,820 | $45,767 | 340 |
| San Luis ObispoCALIFORNIA · CA | $48,230 | $44,412 | 60 |
| ChicoCALIFORNIA · CA | $44,800 | $44,270 | 30 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
The job (national)
Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.
Nationally, jobs are projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 2,500 openings a year. Typical training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Nationally, fence installers have 118 injuries or illnesses serious enough to miss work per 10,000 full-time workers, 1.4× the rate for all jobs (87). The most common cause is being struck by or caught in objects and equipment.
What the work is like Government data
How often fence installers deal with each condition, from surveys of workers in the job.
Getting started usually takes some preparation (high school plus months of training).
O*NET 31.0 Work Context and Job Zones (U.S. Department of Labor), national.
Licensing in California Official source
The main state licensing office in California is the Contractors State License Board. Licenses all trades by classification (e.g. C-10 electrical; C-36 plumbing). It can point you to the right license for fence installers.
Official California licensing site ↗
Requirements for fence installers vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Cities in California
All trades in California.