Starting a first job offers valuable experience and a sense of responsibility. Employment at age 14 requires navigating a specific legal landscape that balances work experience with the need to protect a minor’s education and well-being. This environment is heavily regulated by both federal and state laws. This guide provides a detailed look at the opportunities, work hour limitations, and administrative requirements specific to the state of Nevada.
General Rules for Employing Minors in Nevada
The legal framework governing youth employment in Nevada is established by both the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). Employers must comply with the standard that offers the greater protection to the minor, which often means adhering to the stricter Nevada state regulations. These laws are designed to ensure that employment does not interfere with a minor’s schooling, health, or safety.
The law designates prohibited occupations for minors under 16 years of age to prevent young workers from being employed in hazardous environments or tasks. Minors cannot work in manufacturing, mining, or industries using dangerous or poisonous acids. Operating most power-driven machinery, including commercial meat slicers or bakery mixers, is strictly forbidden, as is any work involving explosives or high-voltage electrical apparatus.
Although a state-mandated work permit is not universally required for 14-year-olds in Nevada, many local jurisdictions and employers demand one for liability and insurance purposes. A 14-year-old seeking employment should expect to secure a permit to satisfy the prospective employer. The permit must be in place before the minor begins work, serving as proof that the employment complies with all applicable age and hour restrictions.
Daily and Weekly Limits on Work Hours
The amount of time a 14-year-old may legally work is strictly regulated based on whether school is in session. When school is in session, a minor’s work hours are limited to a maximum of three hours per day. The total number of hours worked during any school week cannot exceed 18.
These limits are relaxed when school is not in session, such as during summer vacation or official holidays. During these periods, a 14-year-old may work up to eight hours in a single day and a maximum of 40 hours in a week. Regardless of the school schedule, employment must occur outside of school hours, even for home-schooled students.
Time-of-day restrictions control scheduling to ensure young workers are not employed too late or too early. Throughout most of the year, a 14-year-old is prohibited from working before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. An exception is made for the summer months, specifically between June 1 and Labor Day, when evening work hours are extended until 9:00 p.m.
Industries That Commonly Hire 14-Year-Olds
Retail and Grocery Stores
Retail environments offer accessible jobs for 14-year-olds because the duties typically fall within legal parameters. Minors may be employed in general office and clerical work, such as filing, sorting, and organizing documents. In a retail setting, common duties involve pricing, tagging goods, assembling customer orders, and shelving merchandise. Cashiering and selling are also permissible activities.
Restaurants and Food Service (Non-Cooking Roles)
The food service industry frequently hires 14-year-olds, provided the roles avoid hazardous machinery or extensive cooking. Minors can work as hosts, bussing tables, or performing general cleanup and dishwashing duties. They are permitted to perform kitchen work involving the preparation and serving of food and drinks, such as making salads or cleaning fruits and vegetables. Cooking duties are allowed only on a limited basis, typically involving appliances like toasters or deep fryers with automatic controls. Minors are prohibited from working near or operating open flames or high-temperature cooking surfaces.
Entertainment and Recreation
Recreational and entertainment venues often seek young workers for light-duty, customer-facing roles. Movie theaters hire 14-year-olds for tasks like selling tickets, serving concessions, and ushering to clean theaters between showings. Amusement parks and miniature golf courses utilize minors for general clean-up, collecting golf balls, and operating non-hazardous games or concession stands. These roles focus on customer service and maintenance that does not involve power-driven machinery.
Office and Clerical Work
Traditional business offices provide a supervised environment suitable for young workers. Job duties are restricted to light office work, such as sorting mail, making copies, and organizing files. These positions allow minors to assist with general administrative tasks that support daily operations. The work is performed during non-school hours and is within legal safety guidelines.
The Process for Obtaining a Work Permit
Obtaining a work permit is a coordinated administrative process involving the minor, their parent or guardian, the prospective employer, and a designated issuing authority. The first step is securing a promise of employment, as the permit is specific to the job, employer, and duties. The prospective employer provides the necessary application form, which may also be available from the minor’s school or the Nevada Labor Commissioner’s office.
The application requires completion by three parties: the minor, the parent or guardian, and the employer. The minor must provide proof of age, usually a birth certificate or state-issued identification, and parental consent acknowledging the type of work and hours involved. The employer details the specific job duties and confirms the work schedule complies with child labor laws. The completed form is submitted to the appropriate authority, such as the Juvenile Probation Department or school officials, who verify the minor’s academic standing before issuing the final permit.
Understanding Pay and Compensation
Fourteen-year-olds in Nevada are entitled to the same minimum wage as adult workers, as the state does not have a lower training wage exception for young employees. Effective July 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Nevada is set at $12.00 per hour for all employees. This single-tier wage structure applies regardless of whether the employer offers health benefits to its staff.
For jobs in the food service industry where tips are common, Nevada law prevents employers from using a tip credit system. This means that a minor who receives tips must still be paid the full state minimum wage by the employer, with tips serving as additional compensation. Young workers are also subject to the same overtime rules as adults.