AL AK AR AZ CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WV WI WY
| Alabama (AL) | |
| Under 14 | Minimum age to work in Alabama is 14 years old (under 14 MAY NOT WORK) |
| 14-15 | May work in retail, clerical and child care occupations. May not work in an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold or served. Employers must have Class I Certificate. |
| 16-17 | May be employed in such establishments as busboy, janitors, dishwashers, cooks, hostesses, or seaters. Employers must have Class II Certificate. |
| 18-19 | May work in that part of an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold or served for consumption on premises. |
| Alabama Teen Labor Law (PDF) – Alabama Department of Labor (Homepage) | |
| Alaska (AK) | |
| Under 14 | May only work in the following occupations: - Newspaper sales and delivery. - Babysitting, handiwork and domestic employment in or about private homes. - Occupations in the entertainment industry, with an approved work permit from the Alaska Wage and Hour Administration. |
| 14-15 | During school vacations, work hours will be limited to 40 hours per week between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. |
| 16-17 | May work for six days in a week. Must have a work permit on file with the department if the employer has a restaurant designation and is licensed to sell alcohol. |
| 18-19 | May not sell tobacco or tobacco products in the course of their employment. |
| Alaska Child Labor Law (Homepage) | |
| Arkansas (AR) | |
| Under 14 | Children under age 14 years are prohibited from working, except that during school vacation, children under fourteen (14) years may be employed by their parents or guardians in occupations owned or controlled by them. |
| 14-15 | May not work before 6:00 A.M. or after 7:00 P.M. during schooldays and limited to 48 hours within six days in a week. |
| 16-17 | May not work before 6:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m. during schooldays and limited to 54 hours within six days in a week. |
| 18-19 | No restrictions applied. |
| Arkansas Child Labor Law (PDF) | |
| California (CA) | |
| All minors under 18 years of age employed in the state of California must have a permit to work. | |
| 12-13 | May be employed only during school holidays and vacations. During school vacations, work hours will be limited to 8 hours per day from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| 14-15 | Must have completed 7th grade to work while school in session with maximum of 3 hours per schoolday outside of school hours and 8 hours on any non-schoolday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| 16-17 | Must have completed 7th grade to work while school in session with maximum of 4 hours per schoolday outside of school hours and 8 hours on any non-schoolday from 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. |
| 18-19 | May not be employed during business hours in or on that portion of any premises that are primarily designed and used for the sale and service of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. |
| California Child Labor Law (Website) | |
| Colorado (CO) | |
| 14-15 | Must have school release permit to work during school hours. May not work more than 40 hours per week or 8 hours in any 24-hour period. |
| 16-17 | May not work more than 40 hours per week or 8 hours in any 24-hour period. |
| 18-20 | 18 year olds are not minors and are not subject to Colorado youth laws. |
| Colorado Teen Labor Laws | |
| Connecticut (CT) | |
| 14-15 | May not work during school hours.• Before 7:00am or after 7:00pm • More than 3 hours per day • More than 18 hours a week |
| 16-17 | May work only from 6:00am to 11:00pm • 6 hours per day • 8 hours per day on Friday, Saturday, Sunday |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Connecticut Teen Labor Laws | |
| Delaware (DE) | |
| 14-15 | Must have a Class 1 work permit, very limited on hours worked during the school year. Limited to retail, clerical, and child care occupations. May not work where alcohol is sold or served. |
| 16-17 | Must have Class 2 work permit. Cannot work after 10:00pm or before 5:00am. See the link below for the prohibited occupations |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Delaware Teen Labor Laws | |
| Florida (FL) | |
| 14-15 | Work Permits are required for all employed minors under the age of 18. • Employers are required to keep Work Permits on file for each employed minor. |
| 16-17 | Work Permits are required for all employed minors under the age of 18. • Employers are required to keep Work Permits on file for each employed minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Florida Teen Labor Laws | |
| Georgia (GA) | |
| 14-15 | Work Permits are required for all employed minors under the age of 18. |
| 16-17 | Work Permits are required for all employed minors under the age of 18. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Georgia Teen Labor Laws | |
| Hawaii (HI) | |
| 14-15 | Must work between 7:00am and 7:00pm, no more than six consecutive days, and no more than eighteen hours in a week. Cannot work more than three hours on any school day. |
| 16-17 | Must work between 7:00am and 7:00pm, no more than six consecutive days, and no more than eighteen hours in a week. Cannot work more than three hours on any school day. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Hawaii Teen Labor Laws | |
| Idaho (ID) | |
| 14-15 | • 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours in a school week; • 8 hours on a non-school day or 40 hours in a non-school week. Also, work may not begin before 7:00am or end after 7:00pm, except from June 1 through Labor Day, when evening hours are extended to 9:00pm. Different rules apply in agricultural employment. Employers of ‘tipped employees’ aged 21; must pay a cash wage of at least $2.13 per hour if they claim a tip credit |
| 16-17 | Does not specifically prohibit jobs. There are 17 listed Hazardous Occupations: if any of them apply, it would be prohibited |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Idaho Teen Labor Laws | |
| Illinois (IL) | |
| 14-15 | Employment certificates must be issued by the school district and filed with the Department of Labor confirming that a minor is old enough to work. |
| 16-17 | Does not specifically prohibit jobs. There are 17 listed Hazardous Occupations: if any of them apply, it would be prohibited |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Illinois Teen Labor Laws | |
| Indiana (IN) | |
| 14-15 | Forbid the employment in occupations deemed prohibited under the child labor provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Work permits may not be issued and employers must not employ minors |
| 16-17 | Forbid the employment in occupations deemed prohibited under the child labor provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Work permits may not be issued and employers must not employ minors. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Indiana Teen Labor Laws | |
| Iowa (IA) | |
| 14-15 | Requires work permits. May work 4 hours per day on school days, up to 28 hours per week when school is in session. |
| 16-17 | Employers may require work permits. Prohibits occupations involving operation of laundry, dry cleaning, or dyeing machinery, and dangerous/ hazardous chemicals. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Iowa Teen Labor Laws | |
| Kansas (KS) | |
| 14-15 | Work permits required. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 10:00pm on days preceding a school day. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Kansas Teen Labor Laws | |
| Kentucky (KY) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Kentucky Teen Labor Laws | |
| Louisiana (LA) | |
| 14-15 | Have on file an employment certificate for you completed by your school or school board. Limit your work schedule to no more than 3 hours on a school day and no more than 18 hours total during a school week. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work before 5:00am or after 11:00pm. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Louisiana Teen Labor Laws | |
| Maine (ME) | |
| 14-15 | Must have work permit. May work in most businesses, except in most jobs in bakeries, manufacturing mechanical, dry cleaners, laundries, hotels/motels, and most commercial places of amusement. |
| 16-17 | may work in most businesses, but not in hazardous jobs. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Maine Teen Labor Laws | |
| Maryland (MD) | |
| 14-15 | Required to have a Minor Work Permit. Employers are required to have a work permit |
| 16-17 | Required to have a Minor Work Permit. Employers are required to have a work permit |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Maryland Teen Labor Laws | |
| Massachusetts (MA) | |
| 14-15 | Employment permits are required. Cannot work between 7:00pm and 7:00am. |
| 16-17 | Employment permits are required. May NOT be employed between 10:00pm and 6:00am. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Massachusetts Teen Labor Laws | |
| Michigan (MI) | |
| 14-15 | May be employed between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00pm. Combined hours of school and work cannot exceed 48 hours in a work week. |
| 16-17 | May be employed between the hours of 6:00am and 10:30pm Sunday through Thursday. Employed no more than 18 hours while school is in session. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Michigan Teen Labor Laws | |
| Minnesota (MN) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work before 7:00am or after 9:00pm with the exception of a newspaper carrier |
| 16-17 | Cannot work later than 11:00pm on evenings before school days or before 5:00am on school days |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Minnesota Teen Labor Laws | |
| Mississippi (MS) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Mississippi Teen Labor Laws | |
| Missouri (MO) | |
| 14-15 | Work Certificates are required. Must work between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm. No more than three hours during school days. |
| 16-17 | No work permit required. Cannot work more than 5 1/2 hours without a 15 minute break. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Missouri Teen Labor Laws | |
| Montana (MT) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work during school hours, before 7:00am or after 7:00pm, or be employed more than 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work during school hours, before 7:00am or after 7:00pm, or be employed more than 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Montana Teen Labor Laws | |
| Nebraska (NE) | |
| 14-15 | Must have a Class 1 work permit, very limited on hours worked during the school year. Limited to retail, clerical, and child care occupations. May not work where alcohol is sold or served. |
| 16-17 | Must have Class 2 work permit, Cannot work after 10:00pm or before 5:00am. See the link below for the prohibited occupations. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Nebraska Teen Labor Laws | |
| Nevada (NV) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Nevada Teen Labor Laws | |
| New Hampshire (NH) | |
| 14-15 | No youth shall be employed or permitted to work without a certificate. Cannot work earlier than 7:00am or later than 9:00pm, more than 3 hours per day on school days or 23 hours per week. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work more than 6 consecutive days or more than 30 hours during the school calendar week |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| New Hampshire Teen Labor Laws | |
| New Jersey (NJ) | |
| 14-15 | Can work 3 hours per day, 18 hours per week when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work before 6:00am or after 11:00pm. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| New Jersey Teen Labor Laws | |
| New Mexico (NM) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| New Mexico Teen Labor Laws | |
| New York (NY) | |
| 14-15 | Must have A Student Non-factory Employment Certificate. May work after school hours and during vacations, but not in factory work. They may do delivery and clerical work in any enclosed office of a factory, and in dry cleaning, tailor, shoe repair, and similar service stores |
| 16-17 | If attending school a Student General Employment Certificate is required. If not attending school, a Full-Time Employment Certificate is required. If not attending school, may work full time throughout the year. Factory work is permitted for minors 16 years of age or older. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| New York Teen Labor Laws | |
| North Carolina (NC) | |
| 14-15 | Youth employment certificates (YEC) are required. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Youth employment certificates (YEC) are required.Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| North Carolina Teen Labor Laws | |
| North Dakota (ND) | |
| 14-15 | A Certificate of employment is required as well as a letter from a prospective employer is required before an employment certificate is issued. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| North Dakota Teen Labor Laws | |
| Ohio (OH) | |
| 14-15 | Must have workers permit. Cannot work for more than 5 hours without at least a 30 minute break. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Must have workers permit. Cannot work before 6:00am or after 11:00pm. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Ohio Teen Labor Laws | |
| Oklahoma (OK) | |
| 14-15 | Employment certificate issued by schools; required for all employed minors. Employers are required to have an employment certificate from the school before a minor is allowed to work. |
| 16-17 | Employment certificate issued by schools; required for all employed minors. Employers are required to have an employment certificate from the school before a minor is allowed to work. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Oklahoma Teen Labor Laws | |
| Oregon (OR) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | No hourly restriction. Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Oregon Teen Labor Laws | |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | |
| 14-15 | A general or vacation employment certificate is required. The employment certificates are issued by school authorities. Maximum 4 hours on school days, 8 hours on any other day, and 18 hours per school week. |
| 16-17 | A general or vacation employment certificate is required. The employment certificates are issued by school authorities. A transferable work permit may be issued to 16 and 17 year olds. Maximum 28 hours per school week. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Pennsylvania Teen Labor Laws | |
| Rhode Island (RI) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work during school hours. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Must have Class 2 work permit. Cannot work after 10:00pm or before 5:00am. See the link below for the prohibited occupations. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Rhode Island Teen Labor Laws | |
| South Carolina (SC) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| South Carolina Teen Labor Laws | |
| South Dakota (SD) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | No work hour restrictions. Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| South Dakota Teen Labor Laws | |
| Tennessee (TN) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work during hours when you are required to attend school. Cannot work between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Tennessee Teen Labor Laws | |
| Texas (TX) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Texas Teen Labor Laws | |
| Utah (UT) | |
| 14-15 | May not start work before 5:00am and cannot work after 9:30pm. Can work in non-hazardous occupations, such as retail stores, restaurants, fast food, service stations, lawn care, janitorial, and other occupations not determined harmful by the Labor Commission. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Utah Teen Labor Laws | |
| Vermont (VT) | |
| 14-15 | Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Vermont Teen Labor Laws | |
| Virginia (VA) | |
| 14-15 | Must have an employment certificate, have limited work hours, and cannot work in certain jobs. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Virginia Teen Labor Laws | |
| West Virginia (WV) | |
| 14-15 | Work permit required. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. During summer hours must get 30 minute lunch after 5 hours. |
| 16-17 | Work permit may be required. Works hours unrestricted. Prohibited from occupations involving the serving or dispensing of alcohol while working in an establishment (other than a bar) where alcohol is served, dispensed and consumed on the premises. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| West Virginia Teen Labor Laws | |
| Wisconsin (WI) | |
| 14-15 | Work permit required. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 4 hours per day when school is in session. 24 hours for a partial school week. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 11:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work more than 26 hours per week or more than 5 hours per day when school is in session. 32 hours for a partial school week. Cannot work before 5:00am or after 11:00pm. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Wisconsin Teen Labor Laws | |
| Wyoming (WY) | |
| 14-15 | Work permit required. Cannot work more than 18 hours per week or more than 3 hours per day when school is in session. Cannot work before 7:00am or after 7:00pm. |
| 16-17 | Cannot work in any vocation which has been declared by Rule or Regulation of the Secretary of Labor to be dangerous or injurious to the life, health, morals or welfare of a minor. |
| 18-19 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| Wyoming Teen Labor Laws | |
