Working as a 15-year-old in Texas provides an opportunity to earn income and gain professional experience. This step toward independence involves navigating specific legal guidelines designed to protect young workers. Before starting a job search, understand the regulations governing where a minor can work and for how long. State and federal labor laws ensure that employment does not interfere with a student’s education, safety, or well-being.
Understanding Texas Child Labor Requirements
The legal framework for employing 15-year-olds in Texas is governed by the Texas Labor Code, Chapter 51, and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If state and federal laws conflict, the standard providing the greater protection for the minor applies. Texas does not require a minor to obtain an employment permit, often called a work permit, which distinguishes it from many other states.
Instead of a permit, the employer is responsible for verifying the age of every employee under 18. Acceptable documentation for age verification includes a birth certificate, driver’s license, state-issued ID card, or school records. An employer may request a Certificate of Age from the Texas Workforce Commission for proof of age and compliance.
Industries and Businesses That Hire 15-Year-Olds
Fifteen-year-olds are restricted to non-hazardous occupations, opening the door to service-based businesses. These regulations allow minors to gain experience without exposure to dangerous environments or tasks. Most employment opportunities are found within the retail, food service, and recreational sectors.
Retail and Grocery Stores
Retail establishments and grocery stores frequently hire 15-year-olds for various entry-level duties. Permitted tasks include stocking shelves, bagging groceries, and cleaning the store premises. Minors can also perform cashiering, price marking, and assembling customer orders.
Restaurants and Food Service
In the food service industry, a 15-year-old can work as a busser, dish washer, or counter attendant. They are allowed to engage in food preparation tasks like cleaning vegetables and fruits, or wrapping and labeling items. However, this work cannot be in areas where meat is processed or prepared for sale. Minors are prohibited from using power-driven machinery, such as meat slicers, or operating deep fryers and most other cooking equipment.
Entertainment and Recreation
Entertainment venues, including movie theaters and amusement parks, offer seasonal and part-time work. A 15-year-old who has been properly trained and certified by an organization like the American Red Cross can work as a lifeguard at traditional swimming pools. Other permitted roles involve working in ticket booths, assisting with concessions, or maintaining the grounds.
Office and Clerical Work
Employment in an office setting is permitted for a 15-year-old, focusing on administrative support roles. Tasks include filing documents, performing basic data entry, and operating standard office machines. Minors may also run errands using foot travel, a bicycle, or public transportation.
Agricultural Jobs
Federal law provides an exemption allowing minors to engage in agricultural work outside of school hours. For 15-year-olds, this work must be non-hazardous, such as cultivating and tilling the soil or producing crops and livestock. Farm labor rules often allow a broader range of tasks and hours than non-agricultural employment, provided it does not interfere with school attendance.
Legal Limits on Work Hours and Scheduling
Federal and state laws limit the hours and times a 15-year-old may work, ensuring school remains the priority. When school is in session, a minor can work a maximum of three hours on a school day and up to 18 hours per school week. All work during this period must be performed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., as established by the FLSA.
When school is not in session, such as during summer break or holidays, the hour limits increase. A 15-year-old can work up to eight hours per day and a maximum of 40 hours per week. The evening work restriction is extended during the summer, allowing a minor to work until 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day.
Jobs and Tasks That Are Prohibited
To protect young workers, both Texas and federal law prohibit employment in hazardous occupations. Minors cannot work in manufacturing, mining, or processing occupations, including duties in workrooms where goods are manufactured or processed. A 15-year-old is forbidden from operating or assisting with most power-driven machinery, such as meat slicers, dough mixers, or forklifts.
Restrictions also prevent minors from working in construction, roofing operations, or on or about a roof. They are prohibited from any job requiring work from windowsills, scaffolds, or ladders. Prohibitions extend to most cooking and baking activities, including operating commercial food slicers and grinders.
Tips for Securing Your First Job
Securing a first job requires preparation and presenting yourself as a reliable and professional candidate. Start by creating a resume focusing on school activities, volunteer work, and special skills, such as computer knowledge or foreign language fluency. The resume helps an employer quickly understand your background even without prior formal work experience.
Prepare for an interview by researching the company and discussing how your schedule aligns with their needs. Be ready to discuss days and times you are available to work, noting how availability changes between the school year and summer. Demonstrating how you will manage schoolwork and job duties is important, as the law requires all work to be outside of school hours.
Reliable transportation is a practical consideration, so have a clear plan for getting to and from work consistently and on time. Communicate professionally throughout the hiring process, from the first phone call to the final interview. A mature and responsible attitude shows employers that you are a dependable investment.