Determining how many hours a teenager should work requires navigating federal regulations, state laws, and considerations for academic performance and personal well-being. Finding the appropriate balance means understanding the legal obligations placed upon employers and the developmental needs of young workers. The rules change significantly based on a teen’s age, whether school is in session, and the specific state of employment. Ultimately, determining the right number of hours is a dynamic calculation that weighs compliance against a healthy lifestyle.
Federal Child Labor Laws: The Baseline
The foundational legal framework for employing minors in the United States is established by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This act creates a minimum standard that all states must adhere to, categorizing minor workers primarily into two groups based on age. The first group includes 14 and 15 year olds, who face the most severe restrictions concerning both the number of hours they can work and the types of jobs permitted. These restrictions are designed to prioritize their education and safety.
The second category covers 16 and 17 year olds, who are generally allowed to work an unlimited number of hours. The primary federal restriction for this older group shifts almost entirely to the types of work they can perform. This focus is on prohibiting employment in hazardous occupations. The FLSA sets this baseline, making it clear that all state or local laws must offer at least this level of protection for young workers.
Work Hour Limits During the School Year
The most stringent limitations on working hours apply to 14 and 15 year olds when school is in session, reflecting a strong emphasis on academic responsibility. Federal law dictates that these younger teens may only work a maximum of three hours on any day when school is scheduled. Their total work time is capped at 18 hours across an entire school week. These restrictions also include specific time boundaries, generally prohibiting work before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m.
The rules for 16 and 17 year olds differ significantly at the federal level, as the FLSA does not impose any hour restrictions on them during the school year. This lack of federal limitation means a 16-year-old could theoretically work a full 40-hour week while attending school. However, because this often conflicts with educational goals, many state laws step in to impose more protective limits on this age group.
Work Hour Limits During School Breaks
The hour restrictions for 14 and 15 year olds are substantially relaxed during periods when school is not in session, such as summer vacation or recognized holiday breaks. During these periods, the maximum daily limit increases to eight hours per day. This expansion allows younger teens to take on more significant shifts when their academic obligations are paused.
The weekly work limit also expands considerably, allowing 14 and 15 year olds to work up to 40 hours during a non-school week. The evening working hours are also extended, permitting work until 9:00 p.m. between June 1st and Labor Day. These expanded hours acknowledge the opportunity for full-time summer work.
Why State Laws Matter More
While the federal FLSA provides a nationwide standard, state and local laws frequently supersede these limits for young workers. The operative principle is that the law offering the greatest protection to the minor will always prevail, meaning the stricter regulation must be followed. This often results in state laws imposing more conservative limits than the federal baseline.
For example, a state may set a weekly maximum of 28 hours for a 16-year-old during the school year, even though federal law sets no limit. Other states might extend the restricted evening hours for 14 and 15 year olds past the federal 7:00 p.m. limit. Many states also require work permits or employment certificates, which must be obtained before a minor can legally begin work. Employers and parents should consult their specific state’s Department of Labor website to ensure full compliance.
Job Restrictions and Hazardous Occupations
Beyond the number of hours worked, federal and state laws place strict limitations on the types of employment minors may hold to ensure physical safety. The most significant of these are the “Hazardous Occupations” (HOs) orders, which apply mainly to 16 and 17 year olds. These HOs prohibit work that involves operating most power-driven machinery, such as woodworking tools or meat processing equipment. Other prohibited jobs include mining, roofing, excavation work, and any tasks involving exposure to explosives.
For 14 and 15 year olds, the job restrictions are even broader, limiting them primarily to retail, office, and food service occupations. They are generally prohibited from manufacturing, processing, and public utility jobs, as well as work involving transportation or warehousing. Their permitted activities include bagging groceries, stocking shelves, and preparing food. However, they cannot operate power-driven equipment like commercial mixers or slicing machines.
Recommended Maximums for Healthy Balance
While legal limits define the absolute maximum a teen can work, experts often recommend practical maximums that are significantly lower to maintain academic performance and overall health. Pediatricians and educators frequently suggest that high school students aim for no more than 10 to 12 hours of work per week during the school year. Staying within this range allows a student to earn money and gain experience without significantly compromising time needed for homework, sleep, and extracurricular activities.
Working substantially more than 15 hours per week during the school year often correlates with a noticeable decline in grades, especially for students taking advanced courses. Parents and teens should monitor for signs of overworking, which can include chronic sleep deprivation, increased stress, or a withdrawal from social activities. Maintaining time for sports, clubs, or personal hobbies is important for development. The goal is to optimize the work experience as a learning opportunity, rather than allowing it to become a source of significant academic strain.