The Wage and Hour Division prioritizes protections for young workers. Employers are responsible for providing young workers a safe working environment and paying them wages required under federal law. Parents and children have the right and responsibility to understand workplace requirements for minors – this is where you, the educator, can help. You can help educate our youth and their parents on child labor requirements. The resources on this website will help you steer families in the right direction as they look for youth employment opportunities. You can help families to better identify safe work experiences that do not jeopardize their children’s health, well-being, or educational opportunities. Your knowledge of the federal and state rules for young workers will put you in a great position to counsel children in your schools, and help ensure that they have safe and rewarding work experiences.
There are restrictions on what employers can and cannot require of young workers. Minors are limited in the types of jobs and number of hours that they can work. The rules vary by age, and the requirements may be different if they work in agriculture. States may have their own rules that employers must follow. This site can help you find the answers about the various workplace rules for minors.
Agricultural Jobs
Does the teenager want to work on a ranch or farm, or is interested in other agricultural jobs? Does harvesting blueberries, cutting hay, herding cattle, or being a farmhand interest the child? If so, check the dos and don’ts of working in agriculture work while under the age of 18.
- The child is under 12 years old.
- The child is 12 or 13 years old.
- The teenager is 14 or 15 years old.
- The teenager is 16 years old or older.
Non-Agricultural Jobs
Does the teenager want to wait tables at a restaurant? Bag groceries at the local supermarket? What about a summer job working with a construction contractor? Before the teenager starts a job, please check whether the teenager can work at that job while under the age of 18.