The Wage and Hour Division prioritizes protections for young workers. Employers are responsible for providing your child with a safe working environment and paying them all the wages required under federal law. The resources on this website will help you ensure that when your children works, the work is safe and does not jeopardize their health, well-being, or educational opportunities. Knowing the federal and state rules for young workers will put you in a better position to advise your children, and help them have a safe and rewarding work experience.
Before your child starts working, you should know that 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 also have rules that employers must follow. This site can help you find the answers about the various workplace rules for minors.
Agricultural Jobs
Does your teenager want to work on a ranch or a farm, or do another agricultural job? Does harvesting blueberries, cutting hay, herding cattle, or being a farmhand interest your child? If so, check the dos and don’ts of working in agriculture if your child is under the age of 18.
- My child is under 12 years old.
- My child is 12 or 13 years old.
- My teenager is 14 or 15 years old.
- My teenager is 16 years old or older.
Non-Agricultural Jobs
Does your 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 your teenager starts a job, please check whether your teenager can work at that job while under the age of 18.