Understanding the Minimum Age to Work in the United States
A practical guide to federal and state rules on when teenagers can legally start working and what jobs they can do.
The question “How old do you have to be to work?” seems simple, but in the United States the answer depends on several factors: the type of job, whether it is agricultural or non-agricultural, whether the work is for a parent or another employer, and which state you live in. Federal law sets baseline rules through the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and state laws can add further protections or restrictions.
This guide explains the key age thresholds, hour limits, and job restrictions that apply to minors so that young workers, parents, and employers can understand when teenagers may legally work and under what conditions.
Big Picture: Federal vs. State Rules on Youth Employment
The first step is understanding who sets the rules. In the U.S., child labor protections are primarily governed by:
- Federal law via the FLSA, enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor.
- State child labor laws, which often add more detailed limits on ages, hours, and job types.
In practice, employers must follow whichever rule is more protective of the minor. If a state law is stricter than federal law, the stricter standard applies. If federal law is stricter, it controls for covered jobs.
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Core Federal Principle
Under the FLSA, the general rule is that 14 is the minimum age for most non-agricultural employment, with special rules by age group and job type. There are important exceptions for farm work, family businesses, and entertainment work, which can allow younger children to work under limited circumstances.
Minimum Age to Work: Key Age Thresholds
Federal law divides youth employment rules into several age groups. These age thresholds influence both when a minor can work and what types of jobs are allowed.
Under 14 Years Old: Very Limited Employment
For children under age 14, paid employment for someone other than a parent is generally not allowed in non-agricultural jobs covered by the FLSA. However, there are notable exceptions:
- Working for parents in a non-hazardous family business (for example, a small store or office), with federal limits when the work would be dangerous.
- Newspaper delivery, which is commonly allowed at younger ages in many jurisdictions.
- Acting, modeling, and entertainment work, which can be permitted at very young ages subject to special protections and permits.
- Certain farm jobs when working on a farm owned or operated by a parent, which may be exempt from many FLSA child labor rules.
Outside of these narrow exceptions, minors younger than 14 cannot typically be hired into standard retail, food service, clerical, or manual jobs.
Age 14–15: Entry-Level Jobs with Tight Limits
At age 14, federal law generally permits minors to begin working in non-agricultural jobs that are not hazardous. Typical permitted work includes office and clerical tasks, cashiering, some food service jobs that do not involve dangerous equipment, and certain retail roles.
However, 14- and 15-year-olds face strict limits:
- Hours per day and week: They may not work more than 8 hours in a day, more than 3 hours on a school day, more than 40 hours in a week, or more than 18 hours per week while school is in session.
- Time of day: Work generally cannot occur before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m., extended to 9 p.m. in summer between June 1 and Labor Day.
- School-day restriction: Work is not allowed during scheduled school hours.
- Job type limits: Many hazardous tasks, especially those involving power-driven machinery, motor vehicles, mining, or manufacturing, are off-limits.
States often overlay additional rules. For example, Minnesota sets 14 as the general minimum age but allows younger minors to work in limited roles like newspaper delivery or youth athletic refereeing under state law, combined with federal limits on hours.
Age 16–17: Broader Opportunities with Hazard Restrictions
Once a minor turns 16, federal law allows unlimited hours in jobs that are not classified as hazardous, subject to state law limits. Many of the hour and scheduling restrictions that apply to 14- and 15-year-olds no longer apply under federal law, though states may still limit overnight work or school-night shifts.
The biggest constraint for 16- and 17-year-olds is the list of hazardous occupations prohibited for workers under 18. The U.S. Department of Labor has identified numerous jobs that minors may not perform, including:
- Operating forklifts or other power-driven hoisting equipment
- Coal mining and most other mining work
- Logging, sawmilling, and certain timber operations
- Operating many types of power-driven woodworking, metal forming, bakery, paper-product, and meat-processing machines
- Work in wrecking, demolition, or ship-breaking
- Work involving explosives or radioactive materials
These jobs remain prohibited until age 18 because of their higher risk of serious injury.
Age 18 and Older: Full Adult Rules
At age 18, the federal child labor rules no longer apply. The individual is treated as an adult worker for purposes of the FLSA child labor standards, though the usual labor and safety rules for adults still govern the job.
Special Rules for Agricultural Work
Agricultural employment has distinctive rules compared to non-agricultural jobs. The FLSA recognizes the historical and economic role of farm work and permits younger minors to work on farms under certain conditions.
Federal Minimum Ages in Agriculture
Federal agricultural rules generally allow:
- Age 12 and up to work in agriculture outside school hours, with parental consent, where the farm is subject to the FLSA’s minimum wage provisions.
- Younger children of any age to work on farms owned or operated by their parents if the tasks are not hazardous, even when the farm is exempt from certain federal requirements.
States may require higher minimum ages or additional approvals, and many states still restrict night work or hazardous agricultural tasks for minors.
Non-Hazardous vs. Hazardous Farm Work
As in other sectors, minors are barred from certain hazardous farm duties. Work involving heavy equipment, pesticide application, or high risk of injury may be restricted or allowed only at older ages. Employers must consider both federal lists of hazardous tasks and any state-specific agricultural safety rules.
How States Add Their Own Requirements
Each state can enact its own child labor laws that supplement the FLSA. These rules may include different minimum ages for certain jobs, extra hour limits, and requirements like work permits.
Example: Minnesota’s Youth Employment Rules
Minnesota law illustrates how states can add detail. The state:
- Sets 14 as the general minimum age to work, with specific exceptions for newspaper carriers (starting at 11), youth sports referees (starting at 11 with parental consent), actors, and certain farm jobs from age 12 with consent.
- Limits minors under 16 from working before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m., with extra restrictions and tighter federal limits during the school year.
- Restricts how many hours minors under 16 can work per day and per week, closely aligned with federal standards.
- Restricts work hours for 16- and 17-year-old high school students on school nights—such as bans on working after late evening hours or before early morning, subject to limited parental waivers.
Similar patterns appear nationwide: states maintain their own lists of allowed and prohibited jobs for minors, add hour caps, and sometimes require employment certificates or “work papers” for teens.
Common State-Level Features
While details differ, many states share these common elements:
- Work permits or age certificates for minors under 18, often obtained through schools or state labor agencies.
- Stricter night work limits than federal law, especially on school nights.
- Additional job bans beyond the federal hazardous list, tailored to local industries.
Employers must check both federal and state rules, and minors should confirm requirements in their home state before accepting a job.
Summary Table of Key Federal Age Rules
| Age | General Non-Agricultural Employment | Hours & Time Limits (Federal) | Hazardous Work Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 14 | Generally not permitted, except for family businesses, newspaper delivery, and entertainment work under specific conditions. | Not applicable for most jobs; state rules and parental exceptions apply in special cases. | No hazardous work; strict prohibitions apply. |
| 14–15 | Allowed in limited, non-hazardous jobs such as office, retail, certain food service, and clerical roles. | Max 8 hours per day, 3 hours on school days, 40 hours per week, 18 hours per week in school; no work during school hours; work only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (to 9 p.m. in summer). | No hazardous occupations; many equipment-based and high-risk jobs prohibited. |
| 16–17 | May work in most non-hazardous jobs, with federal rules allowing unlimited hours. | No federal cap on hours, but state laws may restrict night or school-day work. | Still barred from federally defined hazardous occupations (e.g., mining, logging, operation of certain power-driven machines). |
| 18+ | Considered adults for child labor purposes; all non-hazardous and hazardous jobs may be permitted, subject to standard labor and safety rules. | No child-labor-specific limits. | Yes, hazardous work allowed, assuming compliance with adult safety regulations. |
Practical Tips for Young Workers and Parents
Navigating youth employment rules can be complex. These practical steps help ensure compliance and protect young workers:
- Verify age restrictions for the job type. Determine whether the work is agricultural, retail, food service, office, manufacturing, or entertainment, and check the minimum age under federal and state law.
- Check hour limits during the school year. For minors under 16, pay close attention to daily and weekly hour caps and bans on work during school hours.
- Confirm whether work permits are required. Many states require paperwork showing the minor’s age and school status before employment can begin.
- Screen for hazardous tasks. Even if a minor is old enough to work, confirm that none of the tasks fall into federally prohibited hazardous categories.
- Coordinate with schools when needed. Some states allow limited work during school hours only with school district certifications or hardship approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the youngest age I can start working a regular job?
For typical non-agricultural jobs such as retail or food service, the minimum federal age is 14. Younger minors may only work in narrow exceptions like family businesses, farm work for parents, newspaper delivery, or entertainment roles, and state law may impose additional limits.
2. Can a 13-year-old work in a store or restaurant?
Under federal law, a 13-year-old generally cannot be employed in standard retail or restaurant jobs that are covered by the FLSA. They might be able to help in a parent’s non-hazardous business or perform certain exempt roles, but most employers may not hire them into typical paid positions.
3. How many hours can a 15-year-old legally work during the school year?
Federal law limits 14- and 15-year-olds to no more than 3 hours on a school day and no more than 18 hours per week when school is in session, with total weekly hours capped at 40 and daily hours at 8. Work cannot occur during school hours and generally must be between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (or until 9 p.m. during summer months).
4. Are 16- and 17-year-olds limited in the jobs they can do?
Yes. While the FLSA allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work unlimited hours in non-hazardous jobs, they are still prohibited from certain hazardous occupations, such as operating specific power-driven machinery, working in mining or logging, and handling some dangerous equipment. State laws may also restrict overnight or school-night work.
5. Do farm jobs follow the same age rules as other jobs?
No. Agricultural work has its own structure. Children as young as 12 can often work on farms outside school hours with parental consent, and there is no federal minimum age for a child working on a parent-owned farm, provided tasks are not hazardous. However, both federal and state laws still restrict hazardous agricultural activities for minors.
6. Who enforces these rules, and what happens if they are violated?
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division enforces federal child labor laws, while state labor departments enforce their own rules. Employers who violate child labor standards can face civil penalties, back wages, and, in serious cases, additional sanctions. Parents and minors can contact their state labor agency or the Department of Labor for guidance or to file complaints.
References
- Age Requirements — U.S. Department of Labor. 2023-05-01. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/youthlabor/agerequirements
- Federal & Legal Minimum Age to Work by State — Paycor. 2026-01-10. https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/articles/states-legal-age-to-work/
- Minimum Working Age by State – Detailed Guide for 2025 — Clockify. 2025-03-15. https://clockify.me/learn/business-management/minimum-working-age-by-state/
- Age, Hours Restrictions — Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. 2024-07-01. https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/employment-practices/age-hours-restrictions
- Child Labor Laws — OSHA Education Center. 2024-02-20. https://www.oshaeducationcenter.com/articles/child-labor-laws/
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