Minimum Working Age: Federal & State Laws, Child Labor Rules (2026 Guide)

Schedule a 15-year-old past 7 PM on a school night? The maximum federal penalty is $16,035 per violation, though first-time violators typically pay significantly less or receive warnings. Let a 16-year-old operate the cardboard baler? Another potential $16,035 penalty. While three violations could theoretically total $48,105, DOL typically negotiates settlements with small businesses in the $5,000-$15,000 range for multiple first-time violations. Maximum penalties ($145,752 for willful violations or serious injury) are reserved for repeat offenders or cases involving actual harm. Even reduced penalties are significant for small businesses, and violations create legal liability if minors are injured.

Reality check on enforcement: DOL enforcement is typically graduated. First-time violators, especially small businesses without injury, often receive warnings, compliance assistance, and modest fines ($1,000-$5,000). Maximum penalties are reserved for repeat offenders, willful violations, or cases involving serious injury. However, even reduced penalties can be significant for small businesses, and violations create legal liability if minors are injured.

Federal FLSA and state laws restrict minimum working age (14 for most jobs), limit hours (14-15 year olds: 3 hours/day during school, 18 hours/week), and prohibit 17 hazardous occupations including power-driven equipment, roofing, driving. Many states impose stricter limits, earlier curfews, mandatory permits. California requires permits under 18 with violations up to $10,000. New York limits 16-year-olds to 28 hours/week during school.

What Is Minimum Working Age?

Minimum working age is the legally established youngest age at which a minor can be employed, as defined by federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provisions and state child labor laws. These laws establish age thresholds, restrict working hours, prohibit hazardous occupations, and often require work permits to protect young workers’ health, safety, education, and well-being.

💡 Quick Answer

Under federal law, the minimum working age is generally 14 years old for most non-agricultural jobs. Ages 14–15 face strict hour and occupation restrictions. At 16, most non-hazardous jobs are permitted. Hazardous occupations require age 18. State laws often impose stricter rules, including higher minimum ages, tighter hour limits, and mandatory work permits. Employers must comply with the most restrictive applicable law.

⚖️ Child Labor Laws at a Glance

• Federal minimum age: 14 for most non-agricultural work; 16 for many jobs; 18 for hazardous occupations
• State variations: Many states set stricter age, hour, and permit requirements
• Penalties: $16,035 per violation (federal, 2025 rate); higher for repeat or willful violations; state penalties vary
• Key protections: Hour limits during school year, prohibited hazardous work, education priority

What Are the Federal Child Labor Laws Under FLSA? [🔒 Foundation]

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Child Labor Provisions

Enacted: 1938; updated periodically

Purpose: Protect minors from exploitation and hazardous work, ensure education remains the priority

Enforced by: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division

Minimum Age Requirements by Category

Age 18 and Older [No Restrictions]

What’s allowed:

• Any job, hazardous or non-hazardous
• Unlimited hours
• No work permit required (federally; states may differ)

Age 16–17 [Most Jobs Permitted]

What’s allowed:

• Any non-hazardous job
• Unlimited hours (though state laws may restrict)

Restrictions:

• Cannot work in hazardous occupations (see below)
• Some manufacturing, power-driven machinery, and construction jobs prohibited

Examples of permitted jobs:

• Retail sales, cashier, stocking
• Food service (cooking, serving)
• Office and clerical work
• Lifeguarding (if certified)
• Most hospitality and customer service roles

Age 14–15 [Strict Restrictions]

What’s allowed:

• Non-hazardous jobs in limited industries
• Office and clerical work
• Retail (sales, stocking, cashier—no power-driven equipment)
• Food service (limited—no cooking, baking, or operating equipment)
• Intellectual or creative work (tutoring, some computer work)

Hour restrictions:

During school year:

• Maximum 3 hours per day on school days
• Maximum 18 hours per week
• Work hours: 7 a.m.–7 p.m. only

During summer (June 1–Labor Day):

• Maximum 8 hours per day
• Maximum 40 hours per week
• Work hours: 7 a.m.–9 p.m. (extended evening hours)

Non-school days (school year):

• Maximum 8 hours per day

What’s prohibited:

• Manufacturing, mining, or processing
• Operating or tending power-driven machinery (including paper balers, trash compactors, dough mixers, slicers, etc.)
• Cooking or baking (except at soda fountains, lunch counters, or cafeteria serving counters)
• Construction, warehousing, or transportation
• Ladder or scaffold work
• Work in freezers or meat coolers

Under Age 14 [Very Limited]

Generally prohibited from employment in non-agricultural jobs

Exceptions:

• Newspaper delivery
• Babysitting (casual basis)
• Acting or performing
• Work for parents in non-hazardous jobs (excluding manufacturing or mining)

Hazardous Occupations Orders (HOs) [🔒 Age 18+ Only]

The Department of Labor has identified 17 Hazardous Occupations that minors under 18 cannot perform:

1. Manufacturing or storing explosives
2. Motor vehicle driving and outside helper (limited exceptions for 17-year-olds)
3. Coal mining
4. Logging and sawmilling
5. Power-driven woodworking machines
6. Exposure to radioactive substances
7. Power-driven hoisting apparatus (forklifts, etc.)
8. Power-driven metal forming, punching, and shearing machines
9. Mining (other than coal)
10. Slaughtering or meat packing, processing, or rendering
11. Power-driven bakery machines
12. Power-driven paper products machines (balers, compactors)
13. Manufacturing brick, tile, and related products
14. Power-driven circular saws, band saws, and guillotine shears
15. Wrecking, demolition, and shipbreaking
16. Roofing operations
17. Excavation operations

Examples in practice:

• 16-year-olds cannot operate forklifts, trash compactors, dough mixers, or meat slicers
• 17-year-olds cannot drive for work (with limited exceptions)
• Minors cannot work on roofs, in construction zones, or with hazardous machinery

⚠️ Common Violation: Power-Driven Equipment

Many employers mistakenly allow 16–17 year olds to operate equipment like:

• Cardboard balers and trash compactors (HO 12)
• Meat slicers and grinders (HO 10)
• Dough mixers and commercial ovens (HO 11)
• Forklifts (HO 7)

All of these are prohibited. Violations result in significant penalties.

Agricultural Employment Exceptions

Agriculture has different child labor rules:

Age 16+: May perform any agricultural work, including hazardous tasks

Age 14–15: May perform non-hazardous agricultural work outside school hours

Age 12–13: May work on farms with parental consent or on parent’s farm

Under 12: May work on parent’s farm or small farms with parental consent (non-hazardous)

Hazardous agricultural work: Requires age 16+ (unless working on parent’s farm)

Why different? Historical exemptions for family farming; ongoing policy debates about whether these are still appropriate

What Are the 5 Most Common Violations Employers Make?

1. Letting 16-year-olds operate “safe” equipment that’s actually prohibited

What employers think: “It’s just a cardboard baler” or “The dough mixer is small”

Reality: Any power-driven paper products machine (balers, compactors) and bakery equipment is Hazardous Occupation 11 and 12. Prohibited under 18.

Penalty: $16,035 per violation. If the minor gets hurt? Up to $72,876.

2. Scheduling 14–15 year olds past 7 PM during school year

What employers think: “They asked for the closing shift” or “We’re short-staffed”

Reality: Federal law caps 14–15 year olds at 7 PM (9 PM summer). States may be stricter.

Penalty: $16,035 per violation. Each day counts separately.

3. Not verifying age before hiring

What employers think: “They said they’re 16” or “They look old enough”

Reality: You must verify age with birth certificate, driver’s license, or work permit. “I didn’t know” is not a defense.

Penalty: Full liability for any child labor violations + fines.

4. Exceeding 18 hours/week for 14–15 year olds during school

What employers think: “They only work weekends” (but 5 hours Saturday + 8 Sunday + 3 hours Tuesday + 3 Thursday = 19 hours)

Reality: Federal max is 18 hours/week when school is in session. Violations are common when minors work multiple short shifts.

Penalty: $16,035 per week violated.

5. Allowing 17-year-olds to drive for work

What employers think: “They have a driver’s license” or “It’s just delivering food”

Reality: Driving is Hazardous Occupation #2. Very limited exceptions exist (licensed, daytime only, no more than 1/3 of workday, limited distance). Most delivery driving is prohibited.

Penalty: $16,035 per violation. Repeated violations up to $145,752.

💡 How to Avoid These

• Verify age before hiring (birth certificate, work permit)
• Post prohibited equipment lists in work areas
• Use time tracking software that flags minor hour violations
• Train managers on what minors can/cannot do
• Get work permits where required (protects you—school verifies age and hours)

What Are the State Child Labor Laws?

Key principle: When federal and state laws differ, the stricter law applies.

States Often Impose Stricter Requirements

Common state variations:

• Higher minimum working ages for certain industries
• More restrictive hour limits
• Earlier curfews (e.g., 8 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.)
• Mandatory work permits or employment certificates
• Shorter maximum daily or weekly hours
• Additional prohibited occupations

Work Permit Requirements by State [🔒 Compliance Critical]

Work permits (employment certificates) are issued by schools or state labor departments to verify minors meet age, education, and hour requirements.

Required for minors under 16: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, many others

Required under 18: Some states extend to age 18

No requirement: Some states (e.g., Mississippi, South Carolina)

Employer obligations: Verify permit is current and covers the job; keep on file during employment; ensure work complies with permit terms.

💡 Pro Tip

Even if your state doesn’t require work permits, requesting proof of age (birth certificate, driver’s license) protects you from inadvertent violations. Age verification is your first line of defense in child labor compliance.

State-by-State Examples

California: Min age 14. Work permits required under 18. Hours (14–15): 3 hrs/day school days, 18 hrs/week school year. Hours (16–17): 4 hrs/day school days, 48 hrs/week max. Penalties: $500–$10,000 per violation.

New York: Min age 14. Work permits required under 18. Hours (14–15): 3 hrs/day school days, 18 hrs/week school. Hours (16–17): 4 hrs/day school days until 10 PM, 28 hrs/week school year.

Texas: Min age 14. No permits required. Hours (14–15): FLSA rules apply. Hours (16–17): No state restrictions beyond FLSA.

Florida: Min age 14. Work permits required under 18. Generally follows FLSA.

Check your state labor department for specific requirements.

What Are Employer Compliance Obligations for Hiring Minors?

1. Verify Age [🔒 Critical First Step]

How to verify:

• Request work permit (if state requires)
• Request birth certificate or government-issued ID
• Keep verification documents on file

Why it matters: You cannot claim you “didn’t know” the worker’s age if you failed to verify

2. Obtain Required Work Permits

Where required:

• Apply for or assist minor in obtaining work permit
• Verify permit covers the specific job duties and hours
• Keep permit on file and accessible for inspections

3. Post Required Notices [⚡ Legal Requirement]

Federal requirement:

• Post FLSA child labor provisions poster in a conspicuous location

State requirements:

• Many states require additional child labor law posters

Where to get posters: DOL website, state labor agencies

4. Comply with Hour Restrictions [💰 High Violation Risk]

Track minor hours separately:

• Use time tracking systems that flag or prevent violations
• Train managers on hour limits for different age groups
• Monitor schedules to prevent exceeding daily or weekly limits

School vs. non-school days:

• Know your local school calendar
• Adjust limits during summer and school breaks

5. Restrict Job Duties [🔒 Hazardous Occupation Compliance]

Age 14–15:

• No power-driven equipment (balers, mixers, slicers, etc.)
• No cooking or baking
• No ladders, scaffolding, or warehousing

Age 16–17:

• No hazardous occupations (roofing, driving, forklifts, meat processing, etc.)
• Verify specific restrictions for your industry

Training:

• Train supervisors on what minors can and cannot do
• Post lists of prohibited duties in work areas

6. Maintain Records [⚡ Audit Protection]

Keep records for each minor employee:

• Name, address, date of birth
• Work permit (if applicable)
• Hours worked each day and week
• Job duties
• Wage information

Retention: At least 3 years (FLSA); some states require longer

7. Provide Safe Work Environment

Beyond hour and duty restrictions:

• Ensure adequate supervision
• Provide training on safety and equipment
• Prohibit harassment or unsafe conditions

8. Understand Parent-Owned Business Exception

Limited exception: Children can work for their parents in non-hazardous occupations in non-manufacturing, non-mining businesses

Does not exempt: Hazardous occupation restrictions still apply (e.g., parent-owned restaurant cannot have 16-year-old operate meat slicer)

What Are the Penalties for Child Labor Violations? [💰 Severe]

Federal Penalties (FLSA)

Civil penalties:

• Up to $16,035 per violation (2025 rate; adjusted annually for inflation)
• Each minor employed in violation = separate violation
• Each day of violation = separate violation

Example: Employing a 15-year-old to work 5 hours on a school day for 3 days = 3 violations = up to $47,814 in fines

Willful or repeated violations:

• Up to $145,752 per violation for willful or repeated child labor violations

Serious injury or death:

• Up to $72,876 per violation if child labor violation causes serious injury or death to a minor

Criminal penalties:

• Willful violations can result in criminal prosecution
• Fines and potential imprisonment

State Penalties

Vary by state but often include:

• Civil fines ($500–$10,000+ per violation)
• Criminal charges for willful or egregious violations
• Revocation of business licenses
• Injunctions prohibiting employment of minors

Other Consequences

Reputational damage: Public scrutiny and negative press

Lawsuits: Minors (or parents) can sue for damages

Increased scrutiny: DOL and state agencies prioritize repeat violators

Loss of contracts: Government contractors may lose eligibility

Which Industries Have High Child Labor Violation Rates?

Department of Labor enforcement targets:

Retail and food service: Fast food, restaurants, grocery stores (improper hours, hazardous equipment)

Agriculture: Migrant and seasonal child labor, hazardous tasks

Entertainment: Child actors and performers (different rules apply; state-specific regulations)

Manufacturing: Illegal employment of minors in hazardous environments

Construction: Minors performing roofing, excavation, or operating heavy equipment

Healthcare: Limited roles for minors; caution with patient-handling and medical equipment

What Are the Best Practices for Hiring Minors?

Do: Verify age before hiring; obtain work permits where required; train managers on child labor rules; use scheduling software that flags violations; create age-specific job descriptions; post notices; keep detailed records; conduct audits; consult counsel; prioritize safety and education.

Avoid: Assuming federal rules are enough; allowing prohibited equipment; scheduling 14–15 year olds for late hours; exceeding hour limits; hiring under 14 (except narrow exceptions); failing to verify age; ignoring work permits; treating minors as cheap labor.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Minimum working age laws establish the youngest age at which minors can work and regulate hours, duties, and conditions to protect young workers. Federal law sets the minimum age at 14 for most non-agricultural jobs, with strict hour and occupation restrictions for ages 14–17. Hazardous work requires age 18.

Key points:

• Federal FLSA sets baseline minimum age (14 for most jobs, 16 for many, 18 for hazardous) and hour limits (3 hours/day, 18 hours/week for 14–15 year olds during school)
• State laws often impose stricter age, hour, and permit requirements; the most restrictive law applies
• Many states require work permits for minors under 16 or 18, issued by schools or labor departments
• Hazardous occupations (17 categories) prohibit minors under 18 from operating machinery, driving, roofing, construction, and more
• Penalties for violations are severe: up to $16,035 per federal violation (2025 rate), with higher penalties for willful violations causing harm
• Employers must verify age, obtain permits, track hours, restrict duties, maintain records, and train supervisors

Hiring minors can benefit businesses and provide valuable work experience for young people, but compliance with child labor laws is non-negotiable.

Looking for tools to manage minor employee compliance? ShiftFlow’s time tracking monitors daily and weekly hours to prevent violations, digital timesheets maintain required records for labor inspections, and workforce insights help you audit minor employment practices and avoid costly penalties.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Labor – Youth Employment and Child Labor
• U.S. Department of Labor – FLSA Child Labor Rules
• National Conference of State Legislatures – Labor and Employment Laws
• State Labor Agencies – Various state-specific child labor law resources

Further Reading

• Compliance Management System – Building a youth employment compliance framework
• Compliance Training – Training managers on child labor rules
• Personnel File Laws – Maintaining required minor employee documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum age to work in the United States?

Under federal law (FLSA), the minimum working age is generally 14 years old for most non-agricultural jobs. Children ages 14–15 can work limited hours in non-hazardous jobs. At age 16, more jobs and hours are permitted, though hazardous occupations remain restricted until age 18. State laws vary and may set higher minimum ages or stricter hour limits. Agricultural work has different rules, allowing younger workers in certain circumstances.

What jobs can 14 and 15 year olds do?

14 and 15 year olds can work in retail, food service, offices, and other non-hazardous environments. They cannot work in manufacturing, construction, warehousing, or operate machinery. Hours are restricted: maximum 3 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days, 18 hours per week during school, and 40 hours per week during summer. They cannot work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (9 p.m. summer).

Do minors need work permits?

It depends on the state. Many states require work permits (also called employment certificates) for minors under 16 or 18. Federal law does not require permits, but employers must comply with state requirements. Work permits are typically issued by schools and verify the minor meets age, hour, and education requirements. Check your state labor agency for specific rules.

Can a 16 year old operate a cash register or use a ladder?

Yes to cash register. Ladder depends on height and purpose. Minors under 18 cannot use ladders for construction, roofing, or warehouse tasks covered by Hazardous Occupations. Retail stocking with step stools is typically permitted.

What are the penalties for violating child labor laws?

Federal penalties can reach $16,035 per violation (2025 rate), with much higher penalties (up to $145,752) for willful or repeated violations. If a violation causes serious injury or death, penalties reach $72,876 per violation. Each minor and each day can be a separate violation. State penalties vary but often include fines of $500–$10,000+ per violation, criminal charges for egregious cases, and reputational damage.

Can my 15 year old work past 7 p.m. during the summer?

Yes, during summer (June 1–Labor Day), federal law allows 14–15 year olds to work until 9 p.m. However, state laws may impose earlier curfews. During school year, generally cannot work past 7 p.m.

Can a 17 year old drive for work deliveries?

Generally no. Driving for work is a Hazardous Occupation prohibited for minors under 18, with very limited exceptions. Some 17 year olds may drive occasionally if specific conditions are met (licensed, no more than 1/3 of workday, daylight only, limited distance), but most delivery driving is prohibited.

Do child labor laws apply to family businesses?

Partially. Children working in parent-owned businesses (non-manufacturing, non-mining) are exempt from some FLSA restrictions. However, hazardous occupation prohibitions still apply. Hour restrictions may be relaxed. Always comply with hazardous occupation rules.