Working at 14 in California is possible, but it is governed by strict state and federal child labor laws designed to protect young workers and ensure education remains the priority. These regulations limit the types of jobs a minor can hold, the hours they can work, and require specific administrative steps before employment begins. Understanding these requirements is essential for any teen seeking to enter the workforce. This guide covers the required documentation, permitted work hours, prohibited occupations, and appropriate employment settings for a 14-year-old in California.
The Legal Foundation for Teen Employment
Before a 14-year-old begins working, they must secure legal authorization from their school district, known collectively as the “Permit to Employ and Work Permit.” This authorization ensures that employment does not interfere with the student’s schooling.
The process requires two separate documents. The minor obtains the Work Permit from the school district where they reside, which usually requires a written request from a parent or guardian and maintaining satisfactory attendance and grades. The employer must complete the “Permit to Employ,” which outlines the specific job duties, work hours, and location, confirming compliance with child labor laws.
Both permits must be authorized by school officials and kept on file by the employer for inspection. If the student changes jobs, a new Permit to Employ is generally required for the new employer, though the underlying Work Permit may remain valid.
Understanding Work Hour Restrictions
California law imposes detailed restrictions on the hours a 14-year-old may work, distinguishing between school days and periods when school is not in session. While school is in session, a minor 14 or 15 years of age is limited to working no more than three hours on any school day. The total hours worked during any school week cannot exceed 18 hours, and work must always occur outside of scheduled school hours.
When school is not in session, such as during summer vacation or holidays, the daily and weekly limits expand. During these periods, a 14-year-old may work up to eight hours in any single day and up to 40 hours in one week.
Time of day restrictions also apply, limiting work to the hours between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. However, from June 1 through Labor Day, the evening limit is extended until 9 p.m. A “school day” is defined as any day the minor is required to attend school for 240 minutes or more. The employer is responsible for strictly adhering to these schedules.
Prohibited Occupations for Minors
State and federal laws prohibit 14-year-olds from employment in hazardous occupations defined by the risk to a minor’s safety. Barred occupations include work in manufacturing, mining, and construction.
Minors cannot operate power-driven machinery, such as meat slicers or powered lawn mowers. They are also prohibited from tasks involving excessive lifting, working on ladders or scaffolds, handling dangerous chemicals, or any job requiring driving a motor vehicle.
Even in permitted businesses, a 14-year-old is barred from working in certain areas, such as a freezer or meat cooler, or in any workroom where manufacturing or processing occurs. These prohibitions ensure the minor’s job duties are limited to supervised, non-hazardous tasks.
Industries That Commonly Hire 14-Year-Olds
The restrictions on hours and hazardous duties narrow the field, but many industries offer appropriate entry-level positions for 14-year-olds. These jobs typically focus on customer service, cleanup, and administrative tasks that are light and easily supervised. Opportunities are often found in local businesses prioritizing part-time help outside of school hours.
Retail and Grocery Stores
Retail and grocery environments offer many age-appropriate roles involving customer interaction and light physical tasks. Common positions include bagging groceries, carrying out customer orders, and retrieving shopping carts. Minors can also be employed for pricing, tagging goods, assembling orders, and stocking shelves, provided the work avoids operating heavy equipment or climbing high ladders.
Fourteen-year-olds can assist with general cleanup work, such as using vacuum cleaners and non-power-driven floor waxers. They may also work as cashier assistants, helping with transactions and organizing the checkout area.
Restaurants and Food Service
While prohibited from cooking, baking, or operating most commercial food preparation equipment, minors can work on the service side of restaurants. Acceptable positions include bussing tables, washing dishes in a separate area from food preparation, and general cleaning of the dining room. They may also work as counter help, taking customer orders and preparing non-alcoholic beverages.
These roles are limited to the front-of-house or dishwashing areas to comply with safety restrictions on operating hot equipment. The work must focus on serving the public and maintaining cleanliness, without involvement in tasks like adjusting machinery belts or cleaning machines while running.
Entertainment and Performance
The entertainment industry provides employment opportunities for 14-year-olds in acting, modeling, and performance roles. This sector has distinct permit requirements, often involving the California Department of Industrial Relations rather than the local school district. Laws governing minor employment in entertainment are specific regarding on-set hours, tutoring, and supervision.
Beyond performance, minors may also find work as movie theater ushers or administrative assistants in smaller production offices. Employment in this field is subject to oversight, ensuring the work schedule and environment do not harm the minor’s education or welfare.
Informal and Casual Work
Many 14-year-olds begin working through informal or casual neighborhood jobs that do not involve a formal business structure. These can include pet sitting, babysitting, tutoring younger children, and providing yard maintenance like raking leaves or weeding. A formal work permit is generally not required for truly casual, occasional jobs in private homes, as this is often considered self-employment.
However, if the work is for a business or organization, such as a day camp or a landscaping service, the employer must follow all established hour and safety restrictions. For example, while lawn care is permitted, the minor cannot use power-driven mowers or cutters due to occupational safety prohibitions.
Navigating the Application and Hiring Process
When seeking employment, a 14-year-old should prepare a resume outlining their skills, academic achievements, and volunteer experience. The resume should focus on qualities like reliability and punctuality. Preparing for an interview involves practicing common questions and discussing availability in relation to school hours.
The minor must provide potential employers with contact information for the school staff member responsible for issuing Work Permits. This allows the employer to initiate their required documentation, the Permit to Employ. Once hired, the teen should understand workplace rules and review the labor law posters employers are required to display, which summarize rights regarding wages and hours.
The minor should understand that the school district can revoke the Work Permit if academic standing or attendance suffers. Maintaining open communication with the employer and the school supports continued employment.
Minimum Wage and Payment Requirements
Fourteen-year-olds in California are entitled to the full state minimum wage, with no distinction made between adult and minor employees. As of January 1, 2025, the California state minimum wage for all employers is $16.50 per hour, though many cities and counties mandate a higher local rate.
Employers must pay minors at least twice per month. Minors are legally entitled to meal and rest breaks, following the same regulations that apply to adult employees. A non-working meal period of at least 30 minutes must be provided for a work period of five hours or more, and paid rest periods are required for every four hours worked.