How Many Hours Can A Teen Work (in United States)

Understanding the legal framework governing teen work hours is crucial for young individuals embarking on their first jobs. The balance between earning an income, gaining experience, and maintaining academic performance is a delicate one. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the regulations and best practices for teen work hours, ensuring both compliance with the law and a healthy work-life balance.

Outlines Of Content

Federal and State Regulations on Teen Work Hours

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the baseline for acceptable working hours for teenagers, but individual states can impose stricter guidelines.

14 and 15-Year-Olds: During the school year, they can work a maximum of 3 hours per school day and 18 hours per week. During school breaks, they are allowed to work up to 8 hours per day, not exceeding 40 hours per week.
16 and Older: No federal limits on work hours, but state-specific restrictions may apply.

Youth Minimum Wage

The FLSA allows a youth minimum wage of $4.25/hr for the first 90 consecutive days of employment under the age of 20. Afterward, they must be paid the standard minimum wage.

Minimum Working Age and Permitted Jobs

Federal Guidelines: The minimum age for most non-agricultural work is 14. Exceptions include entertainment, family business, newspaper delivery, and casual jobs like babysitting.
Agricultural Work: Children as young as 10 and 11 can work in non-hazardous agricultural roles under certain conditions.

State-Specific Laws and Work Permits

Documentation: Various states require age certification and employment certificates for minors. These requirements differ from state to state.

Balancing Work and School

Optimal Work Hours: Research suggests that more than 20 hours of work per week can adversely affect academic performance. A balanced approach recommends about 10 work hours per week, primarily on weekends.

Pros and Cons of Teenagers Working

Pros: Developing responsibility, saving for college, enhancing college applications, exploring career paths, and learning money management.
Cons: Potential negative impact on academic performance, social life, and participation in extracurricular activities.

How Many Hours Can A Teen Work (State-by-State Breakdown)

Each state in the U.S. has its specific regulations concerning teen work hours. This section provides a detailed overview of each state’s laws and guidelines.

Alabama

Under 16: When school is in session, up to 3 hours per day and 18 hours per week. Maximum of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week when school is not in session. Night work restricted from 7 pm to 7 am during school days.
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Alaska

Under 16: Maximum of 23 hours per week during school. Cannot work from 9 pm to 5 am.
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Arizona

Under 16: Up to 18 hours per week when school is in session. Night work restrictions vary for different jobs.
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Arkansas

Under 16: Up to 18 hours per week during school. Night work restricted from 7 pm (or 9 pm before a non-school day) to 6 am.
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

California

Under 16: Up to 18 hours per week during school, 40 hours per week otherwise. Night work restricted from 7 pm to 7 am (or 9 pm June 1 through Labor Day).
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Connecticut

Under 16: Can work 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week. Night work restricted from 7 pm (or 9 pm July 1 to the first Monday in September) to 7 am.
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Delaware

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours per week during the school year. Night work restricted from 7 pm (or 9 pm June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 am.
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Florida

Under 16: Only 3 hours per day on a school day, 40 hours per week on non-school days/weeks. Night work restricted from 7 pm before a school day to 7 am on a school day (or 9 pm during holidays and summer vacations to 7 am).
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Georgia

Under 16: Up to 4 hours per day during school, 40 hours per week otherwise. Night work restricted from 9 pm to 6 am.
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Hawaii

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours per week (3 hours per day) during the school year. Night work restricted from 7 pm to 7 am (or 9 pm to 6 am during authorized school breaks).
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Idaho

Under 16: Can work up to 9 hours per day, 54 hours per week. Night work restricted from 9 pm to 6 am.
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Illinois

Under 16: Can work 8 hours per day, 24 hours per week during school times. Night work restricted from 7 pm (or 9 pm June 1 through Labor Day, except when school is in session) to 7 am.
16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Indiana

For under 16: 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week when school is not in session, 3 hours/day (8 hours on a non-school day), 18 hours/week when school is in session.
For 16 and 17: 9 hours/day, 40 hours/week (48 hours during a non-school week), no more than 6 consecutive workdays.
Night work restrictions apply.

Iowa

For under 16: When school is not in session, 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week; when school is in session, 4 hours/day, 28 hours/week.
For 16 and 17: 9 hours/day, 40 hours/week (48 hours during a non-school week), no more than 6 consecutive workdays.
Night work restrictions apply.

Kansas

For under 16: When school is not in session, 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week; when school is in session, 3 hours/day, 18 hours/week.
For 16 and 17: No restrictions.
Night work restrictions apply.

Kentucky

For under 16: When school is not in session, 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week; when school is in session, 3 hours/day (8 hours on a non-school day), 18 hours/week.
For 16 and 17: When school is in session, 6 hours per school day (8 on a non-school day), 30 hours/week (40 hours with parental and school permission).
Night work restrictions apply.

Louisiana

Under 16: Up to 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Maine

Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on school nights for under 16.

Maryland

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: More flexible hour limits, but night work restrictions apply.

Massachusetts

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. (9 p.m. during summer) to 7 a.m.
For 16 and 17: Fewer restrictions, but night work limitations still apply.

Michigan

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Minnesota

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Mississippi

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Missouri

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 9:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Montana

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Nebraska

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Nevada

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

New Hampshire

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

New Jersey

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

New Mexico

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

New York

Under 16: Up to 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. (or 9 p.m. during summer) to 7 a.m.
For 16 and 17: Broader work hour allowances with certain restrictions for night work.

North Carolina

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, up to 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: Fewer restrictions but some night work limitations.

North Dakota

Under 16: Up to 20 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: More flexible work hours but with some limitations for night work.

Ohio

Under 16: Up to 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: Broader work hour allowances with certain restrictions.

Oklahoma

Under 16: Up to 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.
For 16 and 17: Fewer restrictions but some night work limitations.

Oregon

Under 16: Up to 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.
For 16 and 17: More flexible work hours with some limitations for night work.

Pennsylvania

Under 16: Up to 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. (10 p.m. during vacation from June to Labor Day) to 7 a.m.
For 16 and 17: Fewer restrictions but some night work limitations.

Rhode Island

Under 16: Up to 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. (9 p.m. during school vacation) to 6 a.m.
For 16 and 17: More flexible work hours with some limitations for night work.

South Carolina

Under 16: Up to 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. (9 p.m. during summer break) to 7 a.m.
For 16 and 17: Fewer restrictions but some night work limitations.

South Dakota

Under 16: Up to 20 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted after 10 p.m. before a school day.
For 16 and 17: More flexible work hours with some limitations for night work.

Tennessee

Under 16: Up to 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (or 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. before non-school days).
For 16 and 17: Fewer restrictions but some night work limitations.

Texas

Under 16: Up to 48 hours/week.
Night work restricted from 10 p.m. (midnight before a non-school day or in summer if not enrolled in summer school) to 5 a.m.
For 16 and 17: Fewer restrictions but some night work limitations.

Utah

Under 16: Up to 40 hours/week.
Night work restricted from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. before a school day.
For 16 and 17: Fewer restrictions but some night work limitations.

Vermont

Under 16: Up to 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during school breaks.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. (or 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.

Virginia

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.
For 16 and 17: No specific hour restrictions, but night work restrictions apply.

Washington

Under 16: 3 hours/day on school days (8 hours on non-school days), up to 16 hours/week.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: Slightly more flexible hours, but night work restrictions still apply.

West Virginia

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: Fewer restrictions, but some night work limitations.

Wisconsin

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work restricted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: More flexible work hours with certain restrictions.

Wyoming

Under 16: Maximum of 18 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week otherwise.
Night work is restricted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during school days.
For 16 and 17: Fewer restrictions but some night work limitations.

Conclusion

As teens step into the workforce, understanding the intricate balance between work and school is essential. This comprehensive guide serves as a resource for navigating the varied landscape of teen labor laws across the United States. By staying informed and adhering to both federal and state-specific regulations, young individuals can harness the benefits of work experience while safeguarding their education and well-being.