When hiring minors, you must know the minimum working age in your state and any restrictions to the hours minors can legally work. In this article, we look at the federal and state child labor laws, including minimum working ages.
Table of contents
If your business hires anyone under 18, you must understand the minimum working ages in your state and the hours minors can legally work.
Getting this wrong can be costly—both financially and reputation-wise.
In this article, we look at the minimum age to work both federally and in each state—along with the hours minors can work.
Key Takeaways
- Under federal law, the minimum working age is 14—with exceptions for specific agricultural and non-agricultural jobs.
- The minimum working age in each state varies. It’s often 14—with exceptions for specific agricultural and non-agricultural jobs.
- You must research and seek legal advice on your obligations as an employer before hiring minors.
Child Labor Laws in the US
Here are some helpful points to remember when looking at child labor laws:
- Child labor laws, including minimum working ages, exist under federal and state laws. If both laws apply to your business, you generally must follow the one that offers the most protection to minors.
- Child labor laws typically prioritize school attendance over work. Many laws prohibit minors from working during school hours.
🧠 Did You Know?
With Connecteam’s scheduling feature, you can create shifts that automatically adhere to school-hour restrictions, helping you avoid unintentional violations.
- Most child labor laws distinguish between minors who work in agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, and different rules apply regarding at which ages they can start work, when they can work, and which types of work they can do.
- In addition to addressing the minimum working age and hours, child labor laws may also address other issues, like:
- Child labor certificates (also called employment certificates or work permits) that children or employers must obtain.
- Youth minimum wages (which may differ from adult rates).
- Recordkeeping requirements, such as proof of age and hours worked by minors.
- Mandatory meal and rest breaks.
- Occupations, roles, or locations that minors are prohibited from working in to protect their health and safety.
- Requirements to post notices in the workplace informing minors of their rights.
📚 This Might Interest You:
Want to learn more about child labor laws in your state? Check out our state labor laws series.
Federal Minimum Working Age
Here are the requirements for minors under federal law.
Minimum working age
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) applies to most US employers.
Generally speaking, the minimum working age for non-agricultural jobs under the FLSA is 14.
There are some limited exceptions to this. For example, minors at any age can:
- Work in businesses owned by their parents.
- Deliver newspapers.
- Babysit.
- Appear in radio, TV, movie, or theater productions.
- Collect evergreens and create evergreen wreaths.
The FLSA also sets out specific minimum working ages and conditions for non-hazardous agricultural jobs:
- 14 and 15-year-olds can work outside school hours.
- 12 and 13-year-olds can work outside school hours at farms where their parents work or with their parent’s consent.
- Under-12s can work outside school hours with their parent’s consent—but only on farms where the FLSA minimum wage requirements don’t apply to any employee.
- 10 and 11-year-olds can be employed outside of school hours to hand harvest short-season crops for up to 8 weeks between June 1 and October 15 (waiver required).
- Minors of any age can work on a family-owned or operated farm if employed by their parents.
Work hours
The FLSA also regulates the working hours of non-agricultural employees under 16. These employees can’t work:
- During school hours.
- More than 3 hours on school days and 18 hours during school weeks.
- More than 8 hours on non-school days and 40 hours during non-school weeks.
- Before 7am and after 7pm (9pm from June 1 to Labor Day).
Minimum Working Age by State
The table below summarizes some key aspects of child labor laws in each state.
The information in the table is a summary only—use it with caution.
You must do your research to confirm your obligations as an employer. Child labor laws are complex and often involve various technical exceptions to general rules.
Because of this, you should also seek legal advice before hiring minors.
💡 Pro Tip:
Most state governments each have a child labor law website, typically under their Department of Labor. We’ve linked these in the table to help you start your research.
| State | Minimum employment age for agricultural employees | Maximum hours for agricultural employees under 16 | Minimum employment age for non-agricultural employees | Maximum hours for non-agricultural employees aged 14 and 15 | Hourly restrictions for non-agricultural employees aged 14 and 15 | Maximum hours for non-agricultural employees aged 16 and 17 | Restrictions for non-agricultural employees aged 16 and 17 | |
| During school hours | Outside school hours | |||||||
| Alabama | 16 | 14 | • 9h/day (school and work combined) • 23h/week • 6 days/week (if under 18) | 14, with exceptions, including: • Newspaper delivery (12 and older) • Working in a business owned by their parent (13 and older) | When school is in session: • 3h/school day • 8h/non-school day • 18h/week • 6 days/week When school isn’t in session: • 8h/day • 40h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm while on summer vacation) | NA | Workers 19 or under enrolled in school can’t work between 10pm and 5am before a school day |
| Alaska | 16 | 14 | • 9h/school day (combined work and school) • 23h/weekly • 40h/weekly (during school vacation) • 6 days/week (if under 18) | 14, except for: • Newspaper sales and deliveries • Babysitting or other work in private homes • The entertainment industry | When school is in session: • 9h/day (combined work and school) • 23h/week • 6 days/week When school isn’t in session: • 40h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 5am or after 9pm | 6 days/week | NA |
| Arizona | 16 | 14 | Non-school week: • 8h/day • 40h/week School week: • 3h/day • 18h/week | 14 (with limited exceptions) | Non-school week: • 8h/day • 40h/week School week: • 3h/day • 18h/week | Can’t work before 6am or after 9:30pm (11pm before a non-school day). Door-to-door sales or deliveries: Can’t work before 6am or after 7pm. | NA | NA |
| Arkansas | 16 | 14 | 16-year-olds: • 8h/day • 48h/week 17-year-olds: • 10h/day • 54h/week All employees under 18: • Up to 6 days/week | 14 with limited exceptions, including: • Employed by their parents in the family business during vacation • Newspaper delivery • Batboys/batgirls for professional baseball clubs | • 8h/day • 48h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 6am or after 7pm (9pm before a non-school day) | 16-year-olds: • Up to 10 consecutive hours or 10 hours in a 24-hour period | 16-year-olds: • Can’t work before 6am or after 11pm before a school day |
| California | 18 (16 if they don’t have to go to school) | 12 | 12 and 13-year-olds: 8h/non-school day 40h/non-school week 3h/school day 18h/school week 6 days/week 16 and 17-year-olds: 8h/non-school day 48h/non-school week 4h/school day(8h/school day before a non-school day) | 14 with exceptions, including: • Babysitting • Entertainment industry • Delivering newspapers | Non-school week: • 8h/day • 40h/week School week: • 3h/day • 18h/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | • 8h/day • 48h/week • 4h/school day (8 hours before non-school day) • 48h/school week (school and work combined) | Can’t work before 5am or after 10pm (or 12:30am before non-school day) |
| Colorado | 16 | 12 | Workers under 18 years old: • 8h/day • 40h/week Workers under 16 years old: • 6h/school day Workers 14 years or older in seasonal employment paid by piece-work can’t work more than: • 12h in a 24-hour period • 30h in a 72-hour period • 8h/day for more than 10 days in any 30-day-period | 14 with limited exceptions for 9 to 13-year-olds to work in certain jobs, like: • Delivery advertising • Shining shoes • Gardening • Golf caddies | • 8h/day6h/school day (unless there’s no school the following day) • 40h/week | Can’t work before 5am or after 9:30 pm before a school day | • 8h/day • 40h/week | NA |
| Connecticut | 16 | 14 | • 8h/day • 48h/week | 14, with some limited exceptions | During school vacation only (when school isn’t in session for at least 5 consecutive days): • 8h/day • 40h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm July 1 to 1st Monday in September) | During non-school weeks (if they’re enrolled): • 8h/day • 48h/week • 6 days/week During school weeks (if they’re enrolled) working in restaurant, amusement, recreational, theater, mechanical, manufacturing, mechanical, retail, hairdressing, bowling alley, pool hall, or photographic gallery: • 6h/day (8h on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) • 32h/week Retail/mercantile employees who aren’t enrolled in school: • 8h/day • 48h/week • 6 days/week Restaurant, manufacturing, mechanical, amusement, recreations, and theater employees who aren’t enrolled in school: • 9h/day • 48h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work: • In restaurants, recreation, theater and amusements industries before 6am or after 11pm (midnight during vacation, day before a non-school day, or not enrolled). • In manufacturing, retail, and mechanical industries before 6am or after 10pm (11pm during vacation, on days before a non-school day, or if not enrolled; midnight if they work in a supermarket of at least 3,500 square feet the day before a non-school day). • Before 6am or after 10pm in hairdressing, pool halls, bowling alleys, or photographic galleries. |
| Delaware | NA | NA | NA | 14, with exemption for theatrical employment | Non-school week: • 8h/day • 40h/week School week: • 4h/day • 18h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | 12h/day (combined school and work hours) | Must have 8 consecutive hours of non-work/non-school time every 24 hours. |
| Florida | NA | 14 | 15-year-olds: • 8h/non-school day • 40h/non-school week • 3h/day before school day • 15h/school week • 6 days/week 16 and 17-year-olds: • 8h/non-school day • 40h/non-school week • 8h/school day • 30h/school week | 14 with limited exceptions: • Working in parents’ business • Delivering newspapers • Entertainment industry | When school isn’t in session (June 1 to Labor Day): • 8h/day • 40h/week • 6 days/week When school is in session: • 3h/school day • 8h/Saturdays, Sundays, and non-school days not followed by school days • 15h week | Can’t work before 7am on school day or after 7pm before school days (9pm for holidays and vacations) | When school is in session: • 8h/day before a school day • 30h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 6:30am or after 11pm on day before school day |
| Georgia | NA | NA | NA | 12 | • 4h/school day • 8h/non-school day • 40h/week | Can’t work before 6am or after 9pm | NA | NA |
| Hawaii | 18 (16 if they don’t have to go to school) | 14 (15 for pineapple harvesting; 10 for coffee harvesting) | Workers under 14 years old can work in coffee harvesting during non-school periods up to: • 6h/day • 30h/week • 5 consecutive days/week 14 and 15-year-olds: • 8h/non-school day • 40h/non-school week • 3h/school day • 18h/school week • 6 days/week Pineapple harvesters (June 1 to day before Labor Day only): • 8h/day • 48h/week | 14, with exceptions for theatrical employment | Non-school week: • 8h/day • 40h/week School week: • 3h/day • 18h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work • Before 7am or after 7pm on school days and days before school days • Before 6am or after 9pm on non-school days and during official school breaks | NA | NA |
| Idaho | 16 | NA | • 9h/day • 54h/week | 14, with limited exceptions | • 9h/day • 54h/week | Can’t work before 6am or after 9pm | NA | NA |
| Illinois | 12 | 10 | NA | 14 with limited exceptions, including: • Golf caddies (13-year-olds) • Officials for specific sporting activities (12 and 13-year-olds) | Non-school week: • 8h/day • 48h/week • 6 days/week School week: • 3h/day (8h combined work and school hours) • 24h/week Workers 14 years or older employed by park district or municipal parks and recreation department in a recreation or educational role: • 3h/school day • 2 days a week until 9pm • 24h/school week • Can work until 10pm during summer break | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | NA | NA |
| Indiana | NA | 12 | NA | 14, with limited exceptions, including: • Golf caddies • Domestic workers • Certified sports referees | Non-school week: • 8h/day • 40h/week School week: • 3h/day • 18h/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | If they’re enrolled in school: • 9h/day • 48h/non-school week • 40h/school week • 6 days/week (applies whether they’re enrolled or not) | Can’t start work between midnight and 6am Nights before a school day: • Can’t work after 10pm (can work to 11pm with parental consent). • Can’t work in a place open to the public before 6am or after 10pm unless another employee (who’s older than 18 years) is there. • Can work the same hours as an adult if they’ve graduated high school, completed an approved program, or aren’t enrolled in regular school term. |
| Iowa | 16 | 14 (12 for migratory labor) | When school is in session: • 4h/day on school days • 8h on non-school days • 28h/week When school isn’t in session: • 8 hours a day • 40h/week | 14 with limited exceptions—for example,minors employed by their parents | When school is in session: • 6h/school day • 8h/day on weekends • 28h/school week When school isn’t in session (June 1 to Labor Day): • 8h/day • 40h/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 9pm (11pm June 1 to Labor Day) | NA | NA |
| Kansas | NA | NA | NA | 14, with limited exceptions, like: • Minors employed by their parents • Domestic service • Newspaper delivery | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 10pm on day before a school day | NA | NA |
| Kentucky | NA | NA | NA | 14 | When school is in session: • 3h/school day • 8h/non-school day • 18h/week When school isn’t in session: • 8h/day • 40h/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | When school is in session: • 6h/school day • 8h/non-school day • 30h/week With parents’ consent when school is in session: • 6.5h/school day • 32.5h/school week • 8h/non-school day • 40h/non-school week | Can’t work before 6am or after 10:30pm on night before school day (11pm with parents’ consent or 1am if there’s no school the next day) |
| Louisiana | NA | NA | NA | 14, with limited exceptions for 12 and 13-year-olds employed by their parents (with conditions) | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 18h/school week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) Non-graduates: • Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm on school days • Can’t work before 7am or after 9pm on non-school days | NA | Non-graduate 16-year-olds: • Can’t work before 5am or after 11pm day before a school day Non-graduate 17-year-olds: • Can’t work before 5am or after midnight before a school day |
| Maine | 16, unless exempt by superintendent of schools | 14, (for agriculture not involving hazardous machinery or substances) | NA | 14, with limited exceptions—for example, minors who work for their parents in certain jobs | • 3h/school day • 8h/non-school day • 18h/school week • 40h/non-school week • 6 consecutive days/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm during school year (9pm during summer vacations) | • 6h/school day • 8h/last day of school week • 10h/non-school day • 24h/week with at least 3 school days • 50h/week if there are less than 3 school days in the week or it is the 1st/last week of school year • 6 consecutive days/week | If they’re enrolled in school: • Can’t work before 7am on a school day or 5am on a non-school day • Can’t work after 10:15pm on a school day or midnight if there’s no school the next day |
| Maryland | NA | NA | NA | 14 | When school isn’t in session (including non-school days): • 8h/day40h/week When school is in session: • 4h/school day23h/school week | Can’t work before 7am or after 8pm (9pm Memorial Day to Labor Day) | 12h/day (combined school and work hours) | Must have a break of 8 consecutive hours from work and school in every 24-hour period |
| Massachusetts | 14 | 14 | • 8h/day • 48h/week • 6 days/week Workers under 14 years old: • 4h/school day • 24h/school week | 15, with some exceptions, like: • News carriers • Entertainment industry | When school is in session: • 3h/school day • 8h/Saturday, Sunday, holidays • 18h/week • 6 days/week When school isn’t in session: • 8h/day • 48h/week • 6 days/week | Can work between 7am and 7pm during school calendar (9pm July 1 to Labor Day) | • 9h/day • 48h/week • 6 days/week | Can work between 6am and 10pm before a school day (10:15pm if their workplace stops service at 10pm) Can work between 6am and 11:30pm before a non-school day Restaurants and racetracks: • Can work between 6am and midnight (but not before a school day) (A minor must be supervised by an adult after 8pm, with limited exceptions) |
| Michigan | 16 | 13 | Workers under 16 years: • 10h/day • 48h/week (if in school, school + work hours can’t exceed 48h/week) • Weekly average of 8h/day 16 to 18-year-olds: • 10h/day • 48h/week (24h/week if in school) • Weekly average of 8h/day Farming: • 11h/day • 62h/week • Requires child’s and parent’s consent • Not between 2am and 5:30am All workers under 18 years: • Up to 6 days/week | 14, with limited exceptions, such as: • 11 to 13-year-olds in a youth athletic program employed as referees or umpires • Golf caddies aged 11+ | • 10h/day • 8h/day weekly average • 48h/week (combined school and work hours) • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 9pm | • 10h/day • 8h/day weekly average • 24h/school week • 48h/non-school week • 6 days/week | When school in session: • Can’t work before 6am or after 10:30pm Sunday- Thursday (11:30pm Friday- Saturday) When school isn’t in session: • Can’t work before 6:30am or after 11:30pm |
| Minnesota | 16 | 12 | NA | 14, with limited exceptions—for instance, for newspaper carriers and models | • 8h/day • 40h/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 9pm (except newspaper carriers) | NA | Can’t work between 11pm and 5am on a day before a school day (11:30pm to 4:30am with parent’s written consent) |
| Mississippi | NA | NA | NA | 14 with some limited exceptions | When school is in session: • 18h/week When school isn’t in session: • 8h/day • 40h/week Factory, cannery, workshop, or mill: • 8h/day • 44h/week | Factory, cannery, workshop, or mill: • Can’t work before 6am or after 7pm | When school is in session: • 18h/week When school isn’t in session: • 8h/day | NA |
| Missouri | 16 | 14 | • 8h/day • 3h/school day • 40h/week • 6 days/week | 14 with exceptions, such as: • Entertainment industry • Babysitting • Newspaper delivery • Coaching | When school is in session (Labor day to June 1): • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 6 days/week When school isn’t in session: • 8h/day • 40h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day, 10:30pm for regional fairs) | NA | NA |
| Montana | NA | NA | NA | 14 with limited exceptions, such as: • Minors employed by their parents • Newspaper delivery • Legislative aides | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 18h/school week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm when on summer break) | NA | NA |
| Nebraska | NA | 12 (detasseling only) | 12 to 15-year-olds detasseling: June, July, August only • 9h/day • 48h/week | 14 with some exceptions, like: • Golf caddies • Minors working for their parents | • 8h/day • 48h/week | Workers under 14 years: • Can’t work before 6am or after 8pm 14 and 15-year-olds: • Can’t work before 6am or after 10pm (can get permit to work later on days before non-school days) | NA | NA |
| Nevada | 14 | NA | NA | 14 with limited exceptions | • 8h/day • 48h/week | NA | NA | NA |
| New Hampshire | 18 (16 if not in school) | 12 | • 8h/non-school day • 48h/vacation week • 3h/school day • 23h/school week • 6 days/week (includes 16 and 17-year-olds if they’re enrolled in school) 16 and 17-year-olds: • 30h/school week • 48h/vacation week | 12 with limited exceptions, for instance: • Minors employed by their parents, grandparents, or guardians • Newspaper delivery | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 48h/week during vacation periods • 23h/school week | Can’t work before 7am or after 9pm | During vacation periods: • 48h/week • 6 days/week When school is in session for 5 days: • 35h/week | NA |
| New Jersey | 16 | 12 | • 10h/day • 6 days/week | 14, with limited exceptions, including: • Theatrical employment (no age limit) • Newspaper delivery (11 years) | During school year: • 3h/school day • 8h/non-school day • 18h/week • 6 days/week During summer vacation: • 8h/day • 40h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm from last school day to Labor Day, requires written permission) | During school year: • 8h/day • 40h/week • 6 days/week During summer vacation: • 10h/day • 50h/week • 6 days/week | During school year: • Can’t work before 6am and after 11pm (midnight on days not followed by school days) During summer vacation: • Can’t work before 6am and after 11pm (3am for restaurant and seasonal amusement employees) |
| New Mexico | 16 (14 for hardship cases) | NA | • 8h/day • 44h/week Special cases for workers under 14: • 8h/day • 48h/week | 14, with exceptions like: • Newspaper delivery • Babysitting • Minors employed by their parents | When school isn’t in session: • 8h/day • 40h/week When school is in session: • 3h/school day • 18h/school week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm on days outside the school year) | NA | NA |
| New York | 16 | 14 (12 for hand harvesting fruits, berries, and vegetables) | 12 and 13-year-olds: • 4h/day | 14 with limited exceptions, including: • Newspaper delivery • Child models • Child performers | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 18h/school week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 21 to Labor Day) | • 8h/day • 48h/week • 6 days/week During the school day/week (if they’re enrolled): • 4h/day before school days • 8h/Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays • 28h/week | Can’t work: • Before 6am • After 10pm when school is in session (midnight with written consent from parent and school) • After midnight when school isn’t in session |
| North Carolina | NA | NA | NA | 14 with limited exceptions, such as: • Minors working for their parents • Newspaper delivery | When school isn’t in session: • 8h/day • 40h/week When school is in session: • 3h/school day • 18h/school week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm from June 1 to Labor Day) | NA | Can’t work between 11pm and 5am before school day (except with written consent from parent and school) |
| North Dakota | 14 | NA | NA | 14 with exceptions, like: • Minors working for their parents, grandparents, or guardians • Domestic service work | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 18h/school week if must attend school • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | NA | NA |
| Ohio | 16 | 14 | • 8h/non-school day • 48h/non-school week • 3h/school day • 18h/school week | 14 | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 18h/school week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 1 to September 1 and school holidays 5 school days or longer) Door-to-door sales: • Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm | NA | Workers who attend school: • Can’t work between 11pm and 7am before a school day (or 6am if not employed after 8pm the previous night) Door-to-door sales: • Can’t work before 7am or after 8pm |
| Oklahoma | NA | NA | NA | 14 with some exceptions, including: • Minors working for an entity in which the parent owns equity interest • Newspaper delivery | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 18h/school week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am and after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | NA | NA |
| Oregon | 16 | 12 (9 for picking berries or beans) | • 10h/day (more with special permit) • 40h/week • 3h/school day • 18h/school week • 6 days/week | 14, with limited exceptions—for example, for the entertainment industry (with approval from the Bureau of Labor and Industries) | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 18h/school week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am and after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | 44h/week(Permit required for emergency overtime) | NA |
| Pennsylvania | NA | 14 (for seasonal farm work) | Workers under 18 years old can’t work from 7am to 1 hour after the end of the school day | 14 with limited exceptions, like: • Domestic service • Caddies • Newspaper delivery | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 18h/school week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am and 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | • 10h/vacation day • 8h/school day • 48h/vacation week • 28h/school week • 6 days/week | Workers enrolled in school, can’t work before 6am or after midnight during school week (1am on night before school day) |
| Rhode Island | NA | NA | NA | 14 | • 8h/day • 40h/week | Can’t work before 6am or after 7pm (9pm during school vacation) | • 9h/day (9.6h/day in a 5-day work week) • 48/week | Workers attending school can’t work before 6am or after 11:30pm (1:30am if next day is a non-school day) |
| South Carolina | 16 | 14 (12 with parent’s consent) | NA | 14 with limited exceptions, including: • Show business • Businesses owned and operated by the minor’s parent | During summer vacation: • 8h/day • 40h/week When school is in session: • 3h/school day • 18h/school week | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm during summer vacation) | NA | NA |
| South Dakota | NA | NA | • 8h/non-school day • 40h/non-school week • 4h/school day • 20h/school week | 16 with exceptions for: • Working at gas stations (14 years and older) • Minors employed by their parents | • 8h/non-school day • 4h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 20h/school week | Can’t work after 10pm night before school day | NA | NA |
| Tennessee | NA | NA | NA | 14 with exceptions, including: • Newspaper sales • Delivery work • Musicians | When school isn’t in session: • 8h/day • 40h/week When school is in session: • 3h/school day • 18h/school week | When school isn’t in session: • Can’t work before 6am or after 9pm When school is in session: • Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm | NA | Can’t work between 10pm and 6am on days before school days (can extend to midnight with parental permission, maximum 3 nights/week) |
| Texas | NA | NA | NA | 14 with limited exceptions, including: • Child actors • Minors employed in businesses owned or operated by their parent | • 8h/day • 48h/week | Can’t work before 5am or after 10pm (midnight before non-school day/summer) | NA | NA |
| Utah | No minimum if parents consent | No minimum if parents consent | • 8h/non-school day • 40h/non-school week • 3h/school day • 18h/school week (unless waived by parent) | 14 with limited exceptions like: • Newspaper delivery • Babysitting • Caddies | • 8h/non-school day • 40h/non-school week • 3h/school day • 18h/school week | Can’t work before 7am and after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | NA | NA |
| Vermont | 16 or 14 (labor certificate) | NA | • 8h/day • 40h/week • 6 days/week | 14 with limited exceptions, including: • Child actors • Minors employed by their parents | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 18h/school week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am and after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | Manufacturing or mechanical industries: • 9h/day • 50h/week | NA |
| Virginia | 16 | 14 (12 with parent’s consent) | NA | 14 with limited exceptions, including: • Domestic work • Government page or clerk | June 1 to Labor Day: • 8h/day40h/week During school year: • 3h/school day • 8h/non-school day • 18h/school week • 40h/non-school week | Can’t work before 7am and after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) (Paper deliveries can start at 4am) | NA | NA |
| Washington | 18 | 14 (12 for hand harvesting or cultivating bulbs, berries, cucumbers, and spinach) | 12 and 13-year-olds during non-school weeks: • 8h/day • 40h/week 14 and 15-year-olds during non-school weeks: • 8h/day • 40h/week 16 and 17-year-olds during non school weeks: • 10h/day • 50h/week (60 for hay, wheat, and pea harvest) 16 and 17-year-olds during school weeks: • 4h/day • 28h/week • Up to 6 days/week Workers under 18 years old in dairy, livestock, hay, and irrigation can work 7 days—as long as they have 1 day off every 2 weeks | 14 with some exceptions, including: • Theatrical jobs • Soccer referees • Newspaper deliveries | During school week: • 3h/day • 8h/Saturday and Sunday • 16h/week • 6 days/week Non-school week: • 8h/day • 40h/week • 6 days/week | Can’t work before 7am and after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) (Any minor employed in a service role must be supervised by an adult after 8pm) | During school week: • 4h/day • 8h/day Friday to Sunday • 20h/week • 6 days/week Non-school week: • 8h/day • 48h/week • 6 days/week During a school week with agreement of parent, student, school and employer: • 6h/day • 8h/day Friday to Sunday • 28h/week | During school week: • Can’t work before 7am or after 10pm Sunday- Thursday (midnight Friday and Saturday) During non-school week: • Can’t work before 5am or after midnight Door-to-door sales: • Can’t work before 7am or after 9pm (A minor employed in a service role must be supervised by an adult after 8pm) |
| West Virginia | NA | NA | NA | 14 with exceptions, including: • Babysitting • Domestic services • Minors employed by their parents • Child actors | • 8h/non-school day • 3h/school day • 40h/non-school week • 18h/school week | Can’t work before 7am and after 7pm (9pm Memorial Day to Labor Day) | NA | NA |
| Wisconsin | 18 | 12 | During on-school week: • 8h/day • 40h/week • 6 days/week During school day or week: • 3h/day • 18h/week • 6 days/week 14 to 17-year-olds: • Can work outside school hours beyond these limits during peak times. | 14 with limited exceptions, including: • Minors employed by their parents • Babysitting • Domestic employment | Non-school days/weeks: • 8h/day • 40h/week • 6 days/week School days/weeks: • 3h/day • 8h/day (last school day of week and non-school days) | Can’t work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm June 1 to Labor Day) | NA | NA |
| Wyoming | NA | NA | NA | 14 with some exceptions, for instance: • Domestic work • Lawn and yard work | NA | Can’t work before 5am or after 10pm (midnight if next day is non-school day/employee isn’t enrolled in school) | NA | NA |
🧠 Did You Know?
Child labor laws are constantly changing. Keep track of the child labor provisions that apply to your business and adapt to any changes in the law.
Connecteam’s communication tools enable you to notify managers and employees about changes to child labor laws in real-time, ensuring compliance across your team.
Connecteam Supports Child Labor Law Compliance
Understanding your obligations as an employer before hiring minors can save you tons of headaches. A good starting point is to know the minimum ages you can legally hire minors and understand the specific time restrictions that apply to each age group.
Minimum working ages vary between federal and state laws. The laws often distinguish between agricultural and non-agricultural work. Check with your state Department of Labor (or equivalent) and speak with a lawyer to fully understand your obligations.
Connecteam is a great tool for managing compliance, including with child labor laws. You can use it to track and record minor employees’ hours, store proof of age documents securely, communicate legal changes to managers in real time, and so much more.
To learn more about these features, try Connecteam for free today!
FAQs
Can you be 14 and get a job?
Minors can be 14 and work. The federal minimum working age is 14, and this is also the case in many states.
What is the legal age to work in Texas?
The minimum age to work in Texas is 14, although there are some exceptions—including child actors and minors working in a business their parents own or operate.
How old do you have to be to work in the US?
The age at which a minor can start working varies depending on whether federal or state law applies. The federal minimum working age is 14, while some states allow minors as young as 10 to work under certain conditions.
How old must you be to get a job in New York?
As a general rule, only minors aged 14 and over can work in New York. However, there are several exceptions to this, including for newspaper deliveries, child performers, and 12-year-olds hand-harvesting fruits, berries, and vegetables.
Disclaimer
The information presented on this website about minimum working ages is a summary for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Laws and regulations regularly change and may vary depending on individual circumstances. While we have relied primarily on government sources for this information, we cannot guarantee its completeness, accuracy, or applicability to your specific situation. Therefore, we strongly recommend that readers seek guidance from their legal department or a qualified attorney to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Please note that we cannot be held liable for any actions taken or not taken based on the information presented on this website.