Question: What kinds of work can youth perform?

Answer: Regulations governing youth employment in non-agricultural jobs differ somewhat from those pertaining to agricultural employment. In non-agricultural work, the permissible jobs, by age, are as follows:

1. Workers 18 years or older may perform any job, whether hazardous or not;
2. Workers 16 and 17 years old may perform any non-hazardous jobs; and
3. Workers 14 and 15 years old may work outside school hours in various non-manufacturing, non-mining, non-hazardous jobs

Fourteen is the minimum age for most non-agricultural work. However, at any age, youth may deliver newspapers; perform in radio, television, movie, or theatrical productions; work in businesses owned by their parents (except in mining, manufacturing or on hazardous jobs); perform babysitting or perform minor chores around a private home. Also, at any age, youth may be employed as homeworkers to gather evergreens and make evergreen wreaths.

Different age requirements apply to the employment of youth in agriculture.

Related Links:
elaws Child Labor Rules Advisor
Wage and Hour Division Home Page
YouthRules! Home Page