Last update: June 10, 2023
Minimum Hiring Age in Massachusetts
What is the minimum age to be employed in Massachusetts? The legal age to work in Massachusetts is 9, but governed by state and federal child labor laws and varies based on:
- The type of work (e.g., agricultural or non-agricultural)
- Whether the job is considered hazardous or has prohibited duties.
- Whether school is in session.
- The legal status of the minor (e.g., emancipated minors).
- Whether the job is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
According to Federal Law (FLSA), a minor must be at least 14 years old to work for an employer (e.g. retail stores, food service establishments and gasoline service stations), with an exception for minors working for a parent or legal guardian who owns the business. This is the reason why you will never see job postings for children under the age of 14.
Age Restrictions
- None: Children may work at any age on a farm owned or operated by their parents.
- 9: Children as young as 9 may deliver newspapers with a special badge and written consent of a parent or guardian.
- 10: Minors age 10 and 11 may engage in limited seasonal work with special permission from the federal Secretary of Labor.
- 12: Minors 12 or older may sell certain articles for sale in public places, although selling door-to-door is prohibited until the age of 16. Minors age 12 and 13 may work on farms with their parents or at other farms if they have the written consent of their parents.
- 16: Unrestricted (see federal law)
- 18: To work as a bartender or in a restaurant serving alcohol, and may handle, transport, and sell beer, wine, and spirits in a retail store.
Minimum age to drive motor vehicles (cars and small trucks) on public roads as part of jobs is basically 17 years old, with certain requirements.
Minimum age to serve and bartend alcohol in Massachusetts:
| Beer | Wine | Spirits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serve | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Bartend | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Work Hours
- 14: 14-15-year-old minors may not be employed:
- During school hours EXCEPT as provided in approved work experience and career exploration programs;
- Between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. EXCEPT from July 1 through Labor Day, when they may work until 9:00 p.m;
- More than 3 hours per day during school weeks, not more than 8 hours per day during weeks when school is not in session;
- More than 18 hours per school week EXCEPT in approved work experience and career exploration programs, in which case, they may work 23 hours;
- More than 40 hours per week when school is not in session;
- More than 6 days per week.
- 16: 16-17-year-old minors may not be employed:
- Between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. with exceptions:
- When an establishment stops serving customers at 10:00 p.m., the minor may work until 10:15 p.m.
- On nights not preceding a regularly scheduled school day they may work until 11:30 p.m.
- In restaurants and race tracks, they may work until 12:00 a.m. on nights not preceding a regularly scheduled school day.
- More than 9 hours per day;
- More than 48 hours in a week; or
- More than 6 days per week.
- Between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. with exceptions:
- 18: Unrestricted
Maximum daily and weekly hours and days per week for minors ages 14 and 15:
Maximum hours when School is in session:
18 hours a week
3 hours a day on school days
8 hours a day Saturday, Sunday, holidays
6 days a week
Maximum hours when school is not in session:
40 hours a week
8 hours a day
6 days a week
Nightwork prohibited for minors ages 14 and 15:
Only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year.
Only between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. during the summer (from July 1 through Labor Day).
After 8:00 p.m., all minors must have the direct and immediate supervision of an adult supervisor who is located in the workplace and is reasonably accessible to the minor, unless the minor works at a kiosk, cart or stand in the common area of an enclosed shopping mall that has security from 8:00 p.m.
Maximum daily and weekly hours and days per week for ages 16 and 17:
Maximum hours of work - whether or not school is in session:
48 hours a week
9 hours a day
6 days a week
Nightwork prohibited for ages 16 and 17:
Only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. (on nights preceding a regularly scheduled school day) - if the establishment stops serving clients or customers at 10:00 p.m., the minor may be employed until 10:15 p.m.
Only between 6 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. (on nights not preceding a regularly scheduled school day).
Exception for restaurants and racetracks: only between 6 a.m. and 12:00 midnight (on nights not preceding a regularly scheduled school day).
After 8:00 p.m., all minors must have the direct and immediate supervision of an adult supervisor who is located in the workplace and is reasonably accessible to the minor, unless the minor works at a kiosk, cart or stand in the common area of an enclosed shopping mall that has security from 8:00 p.m. until the mall is closed to the public.
Work Permit
If you are under 18, you must get a work permit before starting a new job. Your employer must keep your work permit on file. https://www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-get-a-work-permit Age certification is required for minors under age 18 as part of Employment Certificate
Minimum Wages
The minimum wages in Massachusetts is $15. FLSA allow employers to pay a youth minimum wage of not less than $4.25 an hour to employees who are under 20 years of age during the first 90 consecutive calendar days after initial employment.