Finding employment at age 14 is possible, but the process is managed by regulations that prioritize safety, health, and education. To protect young workers, federal and state governments impose strict rules on the types of jobs, the hours you can work, and the required paperwork.
Understanding Child Labor Laws
The legal framework for employing young people begins with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which establishes the minimum age for most non-agricultural work at 14 years old. The FLSA sets the baseline for employment standards across the United States, defining permissible occupations and allowable work hours for minors. Its provisions ensure that a job does not interfere with a young person’s schooling.
Every state also has its own child labor laws, which often impose stricter conditions than federal requirements. When both federal and state laws apply, the employer must follow the rule that provides the greater protection for the minor employee. Therefore, while federal law provides a national standard, your employment details are governed by the most restrictive rules in your state.
Permissible Work Hours and Restrictions
Federal law strictly regulates the hours a 14-year-old can work to prevent interference with education. When school is in session, a minor may not work more than three hours on a school day, and the maximum workweek is limited to 18 hours.
When school is not in session, the daily limit increases to eight hours, and the weekly maximum is 40 hours. Minors may only work between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. This evening limit is extended to 9:00 PM from June 1 through Labor Day. Minors may never work during school hours.
Jobs Specifically Allowed for 14- and 15-Year-Olds
The law allows 14- and 15-year-olds to work in various service and retail occupations, provided the job is non-hazardous and outside of manufacturing or mining industries. Permitted jobs often focus on customer service, light manual tasks, and clerical duties.
Retail Sales
Department and clothing stores often hire young workers for tasks related to customer experience and store maintenance. Permissible duties include cashiering, selling merchandise, price marking goods, and assembling customer orders. Minors can also bag groceries, stock shelves, or wrap packages. These are considered light, non-hazardous tasks. They are prohibited from operating power-driven equipment like paper balers or compactors.
Food Service
Restaurants and quick-service establishments commonly hire 14- and 15-year-olds for food preparation and customer service roles. Allowed tasks include washing dishes, cleaning kitchen equipment, and limited cooking duties using only electric or gas grills without open flames. Minors can work at soda fountains, lunch counters, and snack bars, and they may clean fruits and vegetables. They are prohibited from operating power-driven machinery like meat slicers, grinders, choppers, and commercial mixers, or working in freezers or meat coolers.
Office and Clerical Work
A 14-year-old may hold a wide range of office and clerical positions in nearly any business, including manufacturing or construction, provided the work is performed in an office separate from the production floor. This includes general office tasks, filing documents, operating typical office machines like copiers and computers, and running small errands. The law also permits intellectual or creative work, such as computer programming, tutoring younger students, or performing as a musician.
Certain Agricultural Jobs
Federal law has separate rules for agricultural employment, though state laws still apply. On farms not owned by their parents, 14- and 15-year-olds can be employed in any non-hazardous farm job outside of school hours. This includes tasks like hand-harvesting crops, detasseling corn, or other light field work. They must not perform hazardous tasks, such as operating large tractors or power-driven machinery like combines or cotton pickers.
Yard Work and Light Outdoor Labor
Jobs involving general clean-up and grounds maintenance are typically allowed. This includes raking leaves, weeding gardens, and using non-power-driven hand tools like clippers and shovels. However, federal law prohibits the operation of most power-driven lawn and garden equipment, such as push lawnmowers, string trimmers, or leaf blowers. Minors can also work at service stations dispensing gasoline or performing car washing and hand polishing, but they cannot use the garage lifting rack or work in the repair area.
Jobs That Are Always Prohibited
Federal law bans minors under 18 from working in hazardous occupations, and 14- and 15-year-olds are prohibited from an even wider range of jobs. Prohibited industries include manufacturing, mining, and most construction and transportation jobs.
Minors may not perform work involving the operation of power-driven machinery, such as woodworking equipment, meat processing machines, or hoisting apparatus like cranes. They are also banned from working in or about boiler or engine rooms, on roofs, or from any ladder or scaffold. Jobs involving public messaging, youth peddling, door-to-door sales, or tasks requiring driving a motor vehicle are also prohibited.
Obtaining Necessary Paperwork and Work Permits
Before a 14-year-old can begin working legally, they will likely need a work permit or employment certificate. While the federal government does not require this, the majority of states mandate it to ensure compliance with child labor standards. The permit serves as official proof of age and confirms the employer is aware of legal restrictions.
The process usually begins at the minor’s school district office or the state’s department of labor. The minor typically fills out an application requiring a parent or guardian’s signature for consent. A form confirming the employer’s intent to hire, detailing job duties and work hours, is often required before the permit is issued.