Are 14-Year-Olds Legally Allowed to Work?

?It is not uncommon to see workers as young as 14 in the workforce. But what steps does a 14-year-old need to take before applying for a job? And what types of jobs can they work? In many instances, the answer depends on where you live in the United States.?

While it is possible for 14-year-olds to legally work in most states, laws restrict how, when and where they can work. Additionally, a 14-year-old requires their parents’ approval and working papers through their school district before beginning work in some states. However, requirements vary by law, so research your state’s specific requirements ahead of time.?

Teenagers are at a unique point in their development where they are not quite adults, but are no longer children. This transition into adulthood often includes developing an understanding of fiscal responsibility.?

For this reason, many industrious teenagers seek out jobs as early as 14 years old. However, finding jobs that hire at 14 can be tedious. That is because there are many laws and regulations for employers to consider when hiring such young workers.?

So what employers hire at 14? What steps do young workers need to take before accepting a job? Let’s take a closer look.

Child Labor Laws That Affect the Hiring of Young Teens

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the primary law governing how, when and where minors can work for pay. Established in 1938, the FLSA set working condition standards for anyone under 18.

The FLSA prohibits minors from working in conditions or industries deemed unsafe by the U.S. Secretary of Labor. Among the banned jobs and industries are:

• Excavation
• Driving?
• Operation of heavy equipment
• Warehouse work
• Communications
• Public utilities
• Processing plants
• Anything requiring the use of ladders or scaffolding
• Door-to-door sales
• Bakeries
• Sign waving

There are some exceptions to these general rules, such as if a minor works in a family business. States may also have rules, so check those as well.

How Many Hours Can 14-Year-Olds Legally Work?

Besides regulating the types of jobs a 14-year-old can work, the FLSA also regulates how many hours teenagers can work per day or week.?That number varies based on the time of year. Since children are not in school during the summer, federal regulations allow longer work hours when school is out of session.?

During the School Year

While in school, teenagers can work no more than three hours on a school day, including Fridays. As long as the school is in session, teens can work no more than 18 hours per week, and they can't work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.?

During Summer Vacation

During summer break, teenagers can work up to eight hours a day or 40 hours per week. However, 14-year-olds are not eligible for overtime.

Even during summer vacation, workers in this age group cannot work before 7 a.m. But they can work until 9 p.m. from June 1 until Labor Day.?

How Much Can 14-Year-Olds Get Paid?

While there's no maximum amount 14-year-olds can earn, there are federal and state minimum wage requirements. Federal regulations require employers to pay their teenage workers at least $7.25 per hour.?

Each state has its wage requirements, which may be higher than the federal minimum wage. In these scenarios, 14-year-olds must earn the minimum wage for their state.?

However, there are exceptions to federal minimum wage rules that teens and their parents should be aware of. They include:

• Jobs that rely on tipping can pay as little as $2.13 hourly, with the understanding that tips make up the rest of wages to reach the federal minimum wage.
• Workers under 20 can make $4.25 per hour for their first consecutive 90 calendar days of work.
• Certain full-time students and workers with disabilities can make less than minimum wage under special U.S. Department of Labor certificates.
• Underage workers can earn less than minimum wage (or even work for free) if the position is an apprenticeship, internship or volunteer role.?

How to Get a Job at 14

Before looking at what jobs hire at 14, a teen often has to request approval for working papers. They may obtain working papers from several places, including:

• The high school office
• The state's Department of Education office
• The state's Department of Labor office
• Online (in select states or municipalities only)

In states that require working papers, a 14-year-old must make acceptable grades, and their parents will need to sign documents giving the child permission. They will also need to supply identifying information and a recent physical. Once they find a job, they will need to turn in the company information and potential schedule? to ensure they meet state and federal requirements for underage workers.

A few excellent places to look for jobs that hire at 14 include:

• Local farms, ranches and similar operations
• Grocery stores
• Hotels
• Libraries
• Summer camps

Key Takeaways

• There are several jobs that hire at 14, but many federal and state restrictions are in place for teenage workers.
• A 14-year-old is not legally allowed to work in several industries or positions deemed unsafe by the U.S. Secretary of Labor.
• Teenage workers must earn the federal minimum wage, with exceptions for certain jobs or situations.?
• The ability to work for pay at age 14 relies heavily on approval from parents, state agencies and school districts.?

(Reporting by NPD)