You're a teenager looking for some extra cash for a new car, or maybe you're a small business owner hiring your first summer intern. Either way, you're probably asking: how many hours can a minor work? It sounds like a simple math problem. You'd think there’s just a magic number, right?
Wrong.
The reality is a messy, overlapping web of federal laws, state-specific quirks, and school schedules. If you mess it up, the Department of Labor (DOL) doesn’t just give you a slap on the wrist. They hand out massive fines. In 2023 alone, the DOL found nearly 5,800 minors employed in violation of child labor laws, a 88% increase since 2019. This isn't just "flavor text"—it’s a warning that the government is watching this specific issue closer than ever.
The Federal Baseline: Meet the FLSA
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the "boss" of all labor laws in the U.S. It sets the floor. No matter what your buddy’s dad says about his farm or what a local shop owner thinks, the FLSA generally dictates the pace.
Basically, 14 is the minimum age for most non-agricultural work. If you're 14 or 15, the government thinks your primary "job" is school. Because of that, your hours are strictly capped. During a school week, you can only work 18 hours. Total. That’s it. You also can’t work more than 3 hours on a school day. If it’s a Saturday or Sunday, you can pull an 8-hour shift, but don’t try to push it.
When school is out—think summer break—the leash gets a bit longer. You can work up to 40 hours a week and 8 hours a day. But there’s a clock involved. You can’t work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. During the summer (June 1 through Labor Day), that evening limit stretches to 9 p.m.
Once you hit 16, the federal government mostly steps back. There are no federal hourly limits for 16- and 17-year-olds. You could, theoretically, work 50 hours a week under federal law. However—and this is a big "however"—state laws almost always jump in here to complicate things.
When State Laws Clash with Federal Rules
Here is where it gets genuinely confusing for most people. If your state has a stricter law than the federal government, you must follow the stricter one. Always.
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Take California. They don’t play around. In Cali, 16- and 17-year-olds who are enrolled in school generally can’t work more than 4 hours on a school day. Compare that to federal law, which says "unlimited." If you’re a manager in Los Angeles and you schedule a junior in high school for a 6-hour shift on a Tuesday, you are breaking the law.
New York is another beast. They have specific "night work" restrictions. Even for 16-year-olds, they usually can't work past 10 p.m. on a night before a school day unless they have written parental consent and a certificate from their school saying their grades aren't tanking.
Florida is different. They recently saw legislative pushes to loosen these rules. In some states, there’s a growing movement to let 16-year-olds work longer hours to fill labor shortages. It’s a huge political debate right now. Labor advocates argue it hurts education, while business groups say it teaches responsibility. You have to know which way your specific state's wind is blowing.
The "Hazardous" Exception (The 18-Year-Old Rule)
It doesn’t matter if you’re a 17-year-old prodigy who can drive a forklift better than a pro. Under federal law, you can’t do it.
The FLSA lists 17 "Hazardous Occupations" that are completely off-limits to anyone under 18. This includes:
- Manufacturing or storing explosives.
- Driving a motor vehicle (with very limited exceptions).
- Power-driven woodworking or metal-forming machines.
- Slaughtering or meatpacking.
- Most construction and roofing.
So, when asking how many hours can a minor work, the answer for these jobs is zero. If the job involves a circular saw, the hour limit is irrelevant because the minor shouldn't be there in the first place. This is a common trap for family-owned construction businesses. They bring the kid on-site to help out, and suddenly they're facing a $15,000 fine because the kid was standing too close to a trench or a power tool.
Agriculture: The Wild West of Labor
If you grew up in a rural area, you know that "farm rules" are different. The FLSA has a massive carve-out for agriculture. Kids as young as 12 can work on a farm with parental consent, as long as it’s not during school hours. If the farm is owned by the parents? There are basically no age or hour restrictions.
It’s controversial. Human Rights Watch has been screaming about this for years. They point out that agriculture is one of the most dangerous sectors, yet it has the laxest child labor protections. It’s a weird legal loophole that survives because of the deep cultural roots of the family farm in America.
Real-World Examples of What Goes Wrong
Let’s look at Chipotle. A few years ago, they had to pay $1.3 million to the state of Massachusetts. Why? Thousands of child labor violations. They were letting minors work past midnight and clocking more than 48 hours a week. The managers probably weren't evil; they were likely just busy and forgot to check the ages on the roster.
But "I forgot" isn't a legal defense.
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Then there’s the "volunteer" trap. Some small businesses think they can skirt the how many hours can a minor work question by calling the kid a volunteer or an unpaid intern.
Huge mistake.
If the kid is performing work that an employee would normally do, and the business is for-profit, the DOL considers them an employee. You have to pay them, and you have to track their hours. No exceptions.
The Paperwork Nobody Mentions: Work Permits
In many states, like Illinois or Pennsylvania, the number of hours doesn't matter if you don't have a "Work Permit" or "Employment Certificate."
Usually, the kid has to go to their school guidance counselor, show a letter from the employer, and get a signature. If a 15-year-old is working 10 hours a week (totally legal) but doesn't have that piece of paper on file at the office, the employer is still in violation. It’s a bureaucratic hurdle that catches a lot of people off guard.
Why Do These Rules Even Exist?
It’s easy to get frustrated with the red tape. But these laws were written in blood.
Before the 1938 FLSA, kids were losing limbs in textile mills and breathing coal dust in mines. The hour limits are designed to ensure that work is a supplement to life, not the center of it. Sleep deprivation in teens is linked to higher accident rates. A 15-year-old working until 11 p.m. is significantly more likely to cut themselves with a kitchen knife or slip on a wet floor than one who got eight hours of sleep.
Actionable Steps for Parents and Teens
If you're a minor or a parent, don't just take the manager's word for it.
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First, look up your state’s Department of Labor website. Search for "Child Labor Summary." Most states have a one-page PDF that lays out the hours clearly. Print it. Keep it.
Second, track your own hours. Don’t rely on the company’s digital clock. If you’re 15 and they ask you to stay until 8 p.m. on a Tuesday in October, say no. It’s your right, and it protects the business from a lawsuit they don't even know they're asking for.
Third, check the "Work Permit" requirements. If your state requires one, get it done before your first shift. It usually requires a physical from a doctor, so it's not a "same-day" kind of thing.
Actionable Steps for Employers
Audit your payroll software. Most modern systems like Gusto or ADP allow you to set "alerts" for minor employees.
If a 15-year-old tries to clock in at 6:30 a.m., the system should block it. If they try to stay past 7 p.m., the manager should get a text. Relying on human memory to manage child labor laws is a recipe for bankruptcy.
Also, train your shift leads. The store owner might know the law, but the 22-year-old assistant manager closing the shop on a Friday night might not. They are the ones who usually ask the "reliable" high schooler to stay late to help clean up. That's where the violations happen.
The Bottom Line
Knowing how many hours can a minor work isn't just about following the rules; it's about protecting the future workforce. For 14 and 15-year-olds, stick to the 3/18 rule (3 hours a day, 18 hours a week) during school. For 16 and 17-year-olds, check your state’s specific "night work" laws.
Never assume that because a kid is "willing" to work, it's legal to let them. The law doesn't care about willingness; it cares about the calendar and the clock. Stay within the limits, keep the paperwork updated, and keep the work environment safe. That's the only way to make teen employment a win-win for everyone involved.
For the most up-to-date details, always cross-reference the U.S. Department of Labor's YouthRules! website with your specific state labor office. Laws change, especially lately, and staying informed is the only real protection you have.