Learn About Working Age Requirements and Job Rules

Understanding Minimum Age Requirements for Work

Age rules for working vary based on the type of job, the industry, and the state where you live. The federal government sets a baseline minimum age, but individual states often have stricter requirements. For most non-agricultural jobs, the federal minimum working age is 14 years old. However, this does not mean every 14-year-old can work any job. Certain positions have higher age requirements, and restrictions exist about how many hours young workers can work during school weeks.

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Teenagers aged 14 and 15 have significant limitations on the types of work they can perform. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, workers in this age group cannot work in hazardous occupations like mining, manufacturing, construction, or operating heavy machinery. They also cannot work in jobs involving exposure to chemicals, radioactive materials, or extreme temperatures. Common jobs for this age group include retail positions, food service (with limits), office work, and babysitting. These teens also have hour restrictions: during the school year, they generally cannot work more than 3 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days, or 18 hours in a school week.

At age 16, restrictions loosen considerably. Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds can work in most jobs but still cannot perform hazardous work. They have fewer hour restrictions than younger teens but typically cannot work during school hours on school days. At age 18, workers can legally work in any occupation, including hazardous jobs, and can work unlimited hours.

Agricultural work has different rules. Children as young as 10 can do farm work on a family farm during non-school hours. However, children under 16 working on non-family farms face more restrictions, and hazardous farm work (like operating certain equipment or using pesticides) has higher age requirements.

Practical Takeaway: Before starting a job, young workers and their parents should verify the minimum age requirement for that specific position and understand hour limitations based on school schedules. State labor department websites provide detailed charts showing what work is permitted at each age level.

Hour Restrictions and Work-School Balance Rules

Hour restrictions exist specifically to protect young workers and ensure they continue their education. These rules are not flexible—employers who violate them face fines and penalties. The restrictions differ significantly based on whether the school is in session and the worker's age.

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For workers aged 14 and 15, federal law limits work hours to no more than 3 hours per day on school days, 8 hours per day on non-school days, and 18 hours in any school week. During weeks when school is not in session, these teens can work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. In the summer or during extended school breaks, the restrictions become similar to those for older workers. For example, a 15-year-old working in a retail store during the regular school year might work 3 hours on a Wednesday but 8 hours on Saturday when school is not in session.

Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds have fewer restrictions. Federal law does not limit their work hours during school weeks or school days in most cases. However, some states impose their own hour restrictions. For instance, California limits 16 and 17-year-olds to 4 hours on school days and 8 hours on non-school days during the school year. Workers aged 18 and older have no federal hour restrictions related to school.

States can and often do set stricter rules than federal requirements. New York, for example, restricts 16 and 17-year-old workers to 20 hours per week during the school year. Massachusetts prohibits 14 and 15-year-olds from working past 7 p.m. during the school year. Parents and teens should research their specific state's rules, as these can significantly impact work schedules.

School hours themselves are protected. A young worker cannot be scheduled during their required school hours. If school runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., employers cannot schedule that teen to work during those times on school days. The combination of school time plus work time is what matters—the total demand on the teen's time must remain reasonable.

Practical Takeaway: Before accepting a job, teen workers should calculate the total time commitment including school plus work hours. Create a written schedule showing all school hours, work hours, commute time, and homework time to ensure the job does not interfere with school attendance or performance. Keep this schedule and share it with both your employer and school.

Hazardous Work Prohibitions and Safety Restrictions

Federal law creates a specific list of occupations that young workers cannot perform due to safety concerns. These "hazardous occupations" rules apply differently based on age. Workers under 18 are broadly restricted from dangerous work, while those 18 and older can work in these fields (though workplace safety rules still apply to everyone).

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The U.S. Department of Labor identifies 17 categories of hazardous work that teenagers under 18 cannot perform. These include operating power-driven machinery, working with explosives, handling certain chemicals and pesticides, roofing work, excavation work, and jobs involving exposure to radiation. In manufacturing, teens under 18 cannot operate industrial machinery like metal-working machines, power saws, or metal shears. A 17-year-old cannot be hired to work in a factory operating these machines, even if they believe they are capable.

In agriculture, hazardous work restrictions are particularly strict for workers under 16 on non-family farms. These teens cannot operate tractors, combine harvesters, or other large farm equipment. They cannot handle certain pesticides or work at heights. These rules exist because agricultural work has one of the highest injury rates of any industry. According to the CDC, approximately 20,000 agricultural workers suffer injuries annually, and young workers are at higher risk due to inexperience.

Construction work is off-limits for most young workers. Teens under 18 cannot work on roofs, at heights, or in excavation work. They cannot operate power tools or work with certain materials. A 16-year-old cannot be hired for a construction crew building a house, even for simple tasks like carrying materials, if those tasks would put them in a hazardous environment.

Retail and food service are generally safe for teen workers, but restrictions apply within these industries. For example, in food service, workers under 16 cannot operate certain equipment like commercial grills or slicers, though they can perform other duties. In retail, teens can stock shelves but cannot operate heavy machinery in the stockroom.

Practical Takeaway: Review the job description carefully before applying. If the job involves operating machinery, working at heights, handling chemicals, or any work in mining, logging, or heavy construction, verify your age meets the legal requirement. Ask the employer directly about which tasks you would perform and whether any involve equipment or conditions that are restricted for your age group.

State-Specific Work Laws and Regional Variations

While federal law sets baseline requirements, states have the authority to impose stricter rules. This means the age you can start working, the hours you can work, and the types of jobs available to you vary based on where you live. Some states follow federal minimums closely, while others create much more protective restrictions for young workers.

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California and New York are among the most restrictive states. California prohibits 14 and 15-year-olds from working past 7 p.m. on school nights and past 9:30 p.m. on nights before non-school days. The state also mandates more hours of work-free time and schoolwork time than federal law. New York restricts 14 and 15-year-olds to 4 hours of work on school days and 20 hours per week during the school year. These states are designed to prioritize education over work for young teens.

Other states are closer to federal minimums. Texas and Florida, for example, largely follow federal age and hour requirements without substantial state-level additions. However, even these states may have specific restrictions in certain industries. Florida, for instance, has particular rules for agricultural work that are stricter than federal requirements in some areas.

Illinois has a unique provision: it sets a minimum age of 14 for non-agricultural work but allows 13-year-olds to work in specific entertainment industries like modeling, theater, and film. This reflects the state's consideration of young performers.