U.S. Child Labor Laws


Visit http://youthrules.dol.gov for information on the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Child Labor Laws.
 
What Jobs Can A Child Do?
 
13 year old or younger
Can babysit, deliver newspaper or work as an actor or performer.
 
14 years old
Can work in an office, grocery store, retail store, restaurant, movie theater or amusement park
 
16 years old
Can work in any job that is not hazardous.
 
Youth CAN NOT work in
  • mining
  • logging
  • meatpacking
  • roofing
  • excavation
  • demolition
Youth CAN NOT
  • drive a car
  • drive a forklift
  • work with saws
  • work with explosives
  • work with radioactive materials
  • work with most power-driven machines
 
What Hours Can A Child Work
 
14 or 15 year olds can work
 
Outside school hours
 
After 7 AM and until 7 PM during the school year (9 PM) in the summer
 
3 hours on a school day
18 hours in a school week
8 hours on a non-school day
40 hours in a non-school week
 
 
16 years or older can work
 
Can work any hours
 
 
For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour at http://youthrules.dol.gov
 
Or Call The Toll-Free Help Line at 1-866-4US-Wage  (TTY: 1-877-889-5627)
 
Different rules apply to farms, and State laws may have stricter rules.