Historic Preservation Specialist
Specialized Construction
Makes sure a landmark or historic building gets restored the right way rather than just the fast way, pairing with a Restoration Project Manager but for buildings where the standards are legal, not just practical.
What is a Historic Preservation Specialist?
A Historic Preservation Specialist plans and oversees restoration and rehabilitation work on historic and landmark-designated buildings, making sure the work meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and whatever local landmark commission or historic district regulations apply. It's a more regulated, research-heavy specialty than general restoration work: getting it wrong doesn't just mean a worse repair, it can mean a project gets rejected by a landmark commission or loses eligibility for historic tax credits that were funding it in the first place.
What they do
- Research a historic building's original materials, construction methods, and architectural history
- Prepare historic structures reports documenting existing conditions and recommended treatment
- Ensure restoration work complies with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and local landmark regulations
- Specify appropriate historic materials and restoration techniques (matching mortar, replicating millwork, and similar work)
- Coordinate with landmark commissions and preservation review boards on project approval
- Oversee contractors performing specialized restoration work to confirm it meets preservation standards
A typical day
- 8:00 AMReview archival photographs and records to confirm a building's original facade details
- 9:30 AMWalk the site with a mason to confirm mortar matching meets the historic specification
- 11:30 AMPrepare documentation for an upcoming landmark commission review
- 1:30 PMPresent a proposed restoration approach to a local historic preservation board
- 3:00 PMInspect completed restoration work against the approved treatment plan
Skills
Software
Pay expectations
Pay by experience, nationally
as of May 2025
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (SOC 17-1011), national data — the closest BLS classification given this role's heavy overlap with preservation architecture and compliance review; no separate detailed occupation exists for historic preservation specifically
Reviewed May 2025. Pay reflects the national wage distribution for this occupation, not a promise for any one job: entry level is the lower part of that range, 5 years in sits around the national median, and 10 years in is the upper part, since pay isn't actually tracked by years on the job. Real pay varies a lot by state, metro area, union status, and employer — scale these up or down for your market. These figures are base pay only: overtime, shift differentials, and per-project bonuses are standard across most construction trades and routinely push real earnings above what's shown here.
Education
- Required:
- A professional degree in architecture (or state architectural licensure) combined with either one year of graduate study in architectural preservation or a closely related field, or one year of full-time professional experience on historic preservation projects, per the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards; this standard governs eligibility for many federally involved historic preservation projects specifically, rather than being a universal license
- Not necessary:
- A license beyond standard architectural licensure; historic preservation itself isn't separately state-licensed the way architecture is
Career progression
- 1.Preservation Assistant or Researcher
- 2.Historic Preservation Specialist
- 3.Senior Preservation Architect or Consultant
- 4.Preservation Practice Lead
Who hires for this role
Explore next