Labor Study

The Campaign for Historic Trades releases a first-of-its-kind labor study on the status of historic trades in America. Analysis shows the need for a larger and better-trained historic trades workforce; 100,000 workers needed within the next decade

About the Study

In 2021, The Campaign commissioned this landmark analysis of the historic trades labor force in America. The study was sponsored by the Historic Preservation Training Center and performed by PlaceEconomics. Because of systemic issues in the workforce and designations of job titles, the actual number and need for historic tradespeople had not previously been quantified. This study allows us to accurately describe the state of affairs and work toward defined solutions.

“Quantifying the disconnect between the need for historic preservation trades workers and the trained hands to perform the work allows us to make the strong case for funding to support our bold initiative and, most importantly, create a larger and better-trained workforce to preserve historic places across the country,” said Natalie Henshaw, Director of The Campaign for Historic Trades.

100,000
the number of highly specialized jobs created by historic rehabilitation projects in the united states

$121 Billion

direct labor income created by historic rehabilitation activity

On average, for every $100 in direct labor income
an additional $186 is generated in paychecks
for indirect and induced jobs.

VIEW THE PRESS RELEASE HERE

Historic preservation is not niche. It’s a major component of the nation’s construction industry and this study underscores the need for communities all across America to invest in the workforce that will sustain this growing, diverse, and significant component of the trades landscape.

Nick Redding

President and CEO, Preservation Maryland

National Historic Trades Labor Study Resources

See below for the PreserveCast episode, infographics about the Study, a link to download the full report, and .pdf reader of the report.

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