However, even the most responsible teenager, with willing parents and enough free time to devote to a part-time job, will run up against one limitation to their employment: the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This law regulates the days, hours, and times that 14-, 15-, 16-, and 17-year-old employees can work. Review information on when minors are legally permitted to work, including age and hour guidelines and restrictions.
Ages Minors Are Legally Allowed to Work
Federal Law
The FLSA places restrictions on employment for minor workers (workers under age 18), depending on their age, the time of year, the day of the week, and more. The FLSA sets the minimum working age at 14 for non-agricultural jobs. Workers aged 14-18 cannot work in occupations that are deemed hazardous by the Department of Labor. These include mining, excavation, manufacturing explosives, and occupations involving certain power-driven equipment. Minors can occasionally be employed at work sites within hazardous industries, but only in limited tasks that have been declared safe.
State Law
State labor laws often differ from federal laws. When they do, the law that is more protective of the minor applies. For example, if your state says workers under age 18 cannot work in any hazardous industries (even if the task has been declared safe), then this is the rule you must follow.
Hours Teens Are Legally Allowed to Work
There are also employment restrictions that apply only to minors of particular ages. Under Age 14: Children under age 14 cannot take on any non-agricultural jobs unless employed by their parents in a non-hazardous industry. Ages 14-15: Children aged 14-15 can only work hours when they are not in school. There are also rules about how many hours they can work each day. They can work up to 3 hours per day on a school day, and 18 hours total during a school week. They can work up to 8 hours on a non-school day, and 40 hours total during a non-school week. Finally, there are limits on the specific hours of the day they can work. Generally, they can only work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, from June 1 through Labor Day, they can work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Ages 16-17: There is no limit on the hours that someone aged 16 or 17 can work. However, if you are under 18, you cannot work in a job that the Labor Department considers hazardous, as mentioned above. Age 18 and over: There are no limits on the hours you can work if you are 18 or older.
Exceptions to Restrictions
Generally speaking, age-based work restrictions don’t apply to minor workers who are employed by their parents or guardians. The exception to the exception? Those hazardous industries listed above. Employees under the age of 18 cannot work in mining or manufacturing, for example, even if employed by their family.
Minimum Wage for Teen Workers
Federal Minimum Wage
Generally, teenagers who work should be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Workers under the age of 20 can be paid a youth minimum wage (or statutory minimum wage) of $4.25 for the first 90 consecutive calendar days; this youth minimum applies to every job the teen holds, not just their first job. If a worker under the age of 20 changes jobs, their new employer may pay them the lower rate for the first 90 days of their new job.
State Minimum Wages
Many states and some cities have set minimum wages higher than the federally mandated minimum, but these don’t necessarily apply to younger workers. Some states have proposed minimum wage increases and exceptions for teenagers, partly in response to these minimum wage increases. It’s important to familiarize yourself with both state and federal laws applying to young workers in your area before applying for a job or allowing your teenager to do so. In most cases, employers are obliged to abide by both state and federal law.
