Seeking a first job at age 12 is a proactive step toward building financial independence and learning responsibility. The employment landscape for young people is heavily shaped by federal and state child labor laws designed to protect education and well-being. Traditional employment, where a young person is a formal employee of a business, is severely restricted for this age group. Many avenues for earning money exist through specific legal exceptions and, more commonly, through entrepreneurial and casual work not covered by federal regulations.
The Legal Reality of Formal Employment
The federal statute governing youth employment in the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), establishes standards for most non-agricultural occupations. This law generally sets the minimum age for formal employment—working for a business that issues a regular paycheck—at 14 years old. Children under this age are largely excluded from being traditional W-2 employees for businesses covered by the FLSA. These restrictions primarily prevent work from interfering with a minor’s education, health, and development.
This restriction applies to nearly all standard commercial jobs in retail, food service, and office environments. If a job is considered “non-agricultural” and the employer is subject to the FLSA, the 14-year-old minimum age must be followed. Understanding this baseline dictates why a 12-year-old’s job search must focus only on specific exemptions or self-employed activities.
Legal Exceptions for Minors Under 14
A 12-year-old can be legally employed as a formal worker in specific areas that the FLSA exempts from the general minimum age requirement. These carefully defined exemptions include certain industries and family arrangements. For any of these roles, the work must not be considered a “hazardous occupation” or interfere with school attendance.
Working for Parents in a Family Business
A youth of any age may be employed in a business solely owned by their parent or guardian. This exemption allows for flexible hours and duties, provided the work is not in manufacturing or mining. The job must also not be one of the 17 occupations declared hazardous for minors under 18 by the Secretary of Labor.
Agriculture and Farm Work
Employment in agriculture is governed by separate federal and state rules, often allowing younger children to work. A 12-year-old may be employed outside of school hours in non-hazardous jobs on a farm. This is permitted with written parental consent or if a parent is simultaneously employed on the same farm. Hazardous occupations, such as operating large tractors or certain power-driven machinery, remain prohibited for those under 16.
Delivering Newspapers
The traditional role of a newspaper carrier is one of the oldest exceptions to federal child labor laws. The FLSA specifically exempts minors engaged in delivering newspapers to the consumer, including shopping news publications. This work is permitted regardless of the child’s age. State laws may impose specific time restrictions, such as prohibiting early morning or late evening work.
Acting, Modeling, and Entertainment
Minors working as actors, performers in motion pictures, television, theatrical productions, or as models are exempt from the FLSA’s minimum age and hour restrictions. This industry is heavily regulated by state laws to ensure a minor’s education and safety are protected. State regulations often mandate the presence of a set teacher, limit time on set, and require schooling each day.
Informal Ways to Earn Money
For most 12-year-olds seeking income, the most practical options fall outside formal employment regulations. This involves entrepreneurial activity and casual labor, where the child is a self-employed service provider rather than an employee of a business. These activities are generally not covered by the FLSA because no employer-employee relationship is established.
Many local, neighborhood-based services are suited for this age group, such as lawn care or snow removal. A young person can advertise and run a small business offering to mow lawns, rake leaves, or shovel sidewalks for neighbors, setting their own rates and schedule. Dealing directly with customers provides valuable experience in customer service and managing money.
Providing domestic services or casual supervision within a private home, such as babysitting or pet-sitting, is another common and unregulated avenue. Babysitting for family friends or offering dog walking and feeding services is considered casual work and does not require compliance with federal child labor laws. A 12-year-old should establish a clear rate for these services, which can range widely depending on the local market and task complexity. Selling goods is also an entrepreneurial option, such as creating and selling crafts online or running a stand selling lemonade or baked goods.
Understanding Work Hour Restrictions and Safety
Even when a 12-year-old is employed under a legal exception, regulations ensure the work does not compromise a child’s safety or education. For non-agricultural work under the FLSA, such as working for a parent, the job must never be performed during school hours. During the school year, minors are limited to working a maximum of three hours on a school day and 18 hours per week.
When school is not in session, minors are permitted to work up to eight hours a day, with a maximum of 40 hours per week. Time-of-day restrictions generally limit work to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., extending to 9 p.m. from June 1st through Labor Day. All jobs are subject to federal and state prohibitions on hazardous occupations, banning minors from work involving power-driven machinery, excavation, or other dangerous tasks.
The Role of State Laws and Work Permits
While federal law sets the minimum age and general standards, state laws often provide additional protection for minors. When state and federal laws cover the same employment situation, the rule offering the greatest protection to the minor must be followed. If a state has a more restrictive age limit, fewer allowed hours, or a longer list of prohibited occupations, the state law takes precedence.
Many states require a minor to obtain a work permit, also known as an employment certificate, even for jobs that are federal exceptions. Obtaining a permit typically involves parental consent, proof of age, and sometimes approval from a school official to ensure the work schedule does not conflict with academic performance. Because these requirements vary significantly by location, any 12-year-old seeking formal employment must first check with their state’s Department of Labor website for the most accurate rules.