What is the youngest age you can legally work?

Under federal law (FLSA), the minimum age for non-agricultural work is 14. However, kids of any age can do informal work like babysitting, yard work, and pet care. Some states allow agricultural work as young as 12 with parental consent.

How many hours can a 14-year-old work?

Federal law limits 14-15 year olds to 3 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days, and no more than 18 hours during a school week. Work must be between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day). Many states have stricter limits.

Do teenagers need a work permit?

It depends on your state. Many states require work permits or employment certificates for workers under 16 or 18. Check your state labor department website. Informal jobs like babysitting and yard work generally do not require permits in any state.

What is the average pay for a teen job?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings for workers aged 16-19 are about $622/week for full-time work. For part-time and informal work, pay varies: babysitting averages $15-25/hr, dog walking $15-30/hr, and fast food starts at minimum wage (typically $7.25-15/hr depending on state).

How many hours should a teenager work during school?

Research from the National Institutes of Health suggests that working up to 20 hours per week during school is the sweet spot. Below that threshold, teen employment is associated with better work confidence and career readiness. Above 20 hours, grades and well-being start to suffer.

By Penny Time Editorial April 5, 2026

First Jobs for Teens: What Age Can Kids Start Working?

At some point, most kids want to earn their own money. The question is when they can start, what jobs are available, and how much they can expect to make. Here is a practical breakdown by age, based on federal labor law and Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Ages 10-13: Informal work only

Federal law does not allow kids under 14 to hold formal jobs (with a few agricultural exceptions). But there is no law against informal work, and this is where most kids start.

Jobs kids can do at this age:

Babysitting ($15-25/hr depending on number of kids and your area)
Pet sitting and dog walking ($15-30/hr)
Yard work - mowing, raking, shoveling snow ($10-20/job)
Car washing for neighbors ($5-15/car)
Tech help for older adults ($10-15/hr)
Lemonade stands and small sales

None of these require work permits. The main value at this age is not the money itself - it is learning that effort produces income. Our lemonade stand calculator helps kids plan their first "business" and understand profit vs. revenue.

Ages 14-15: First real jobs

At 14, federal law allows kids to work in non-hazardous jobs. According to the Department of Labor, permitted jobs include:

Retail and grocery stores (cashier, bagger, shelf stocking)
Food service (counter work, busing tables - no cooking over an open flame)
Office work (filing, data entry, answering phones)
Amusement parks and recreation (ticket taking, food stands)
Gas stations (attendant, not mechanic work)

Hour restrictions are strict at this age:

School days: 3 hours max, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Non-school days: 8 hours max
School weeks: 18 hours max
Non-school weeks: 40 hours max
Summer extension: Hours can extend to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day

Most states require a work permit or employment certificate at this age. Check your state labor department for specific requirements.

One note on pay: the federal youth minimum wage allows employers to pay $4.25/hr for the first 90 calendar days. After that, the regular federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr) applies, though many states set higher minimums.

Ages 16-17: Most jobs are available

At 16, federal hour restrictions disappear. Teens can work any number of hours in any non-hazardous occupation. The only federal limits at this age are on dangerous work: no mining, logging, roofing, operating heavy machinery, or jobs involving explosives.

Popular first jobs for 16-17 year olds:

Fast food and restaurants ($10-15/hr depending on state)
Retail ($10-15/hr)
Lifeguarding ($17.68/hr average, requires certification)
Camp counseling ($15-20/hr)
Tutoring peers or younger students ($15-30/hr)
Movie theaters, bowling alleys, recreation centers

According to BLS data, about 59.5% of 16-24 year olds participate in the labor force during summer months. The top industries for teen workers are leisure and hospitality (25%), retail (17%), and education and health services (14%).

How many hours should your teen work?

This matters more than most parents realize. Research published in the National Institutes of Health found a clear threshold: working up to 20 hours per week during school is associated with better vocational identity, work confidence, and career readiness. But crossing the 20-hour mark is where problems start - grades drop, stress increases, and the academic costs outweigh the benefits.

The National Academies found similar results: moderate work hours during high school can be beneficial, but intensive work schedules are associated with lower academic achievement and higher risk behaviors.

A good rule of thumb:

During school: 10-15 hours/week (2-3 shifts)
During summer: 20-30 hours/week
If grades drop: Cut hours first before quitting entirely

How teen jobs connect to allowance

Many families adjust allowance as teens start earning. Some options:

Phase out gradually: Reduce allowance as job income increases. A teen earning $150/week from a job does not also need $20/week in allowance.
Shift what it covers: Stop paying for discretionary spending (entertainment, eating out) but keep covering essentials the teen needs (phone bill, school supplies).
Add a savings requirement: Require 20-30% of job earnings to go into savings. The savings goal calculator can help them visualize what they are working toward.

The first job finder helps teens aged 10-17 discover age-appropriate jobs based on their interests and skills.

Quick reference: jobs and pay by age

Age	Job types	Typical pay	Hour limits (school)
10-13	Babysitting, pet care, yard work, small sales	$5-25/task or hr	None (informal only)
14-15	Retail, grocery, food service, office, recreation	$7.25-15/hr	3 hrs/day, 18 hrs/week
16-17	Most non-hazardous jobs, lifeguarding, tutoring	$10-18/hr	No federal limit

State labor law differences

Federal law sets the floor, but many states go further. A few examples:

California: Requires work permits for all minors. Maximum 4 hours on school days for 16-17 year olds.
New York: Requires employment certificates. Specific industry restrictions vary by age.
Texas: No work permits required for 14+ year olds, follows federal hour restrictions.
Georgia: Allows informal work like babysitting and yard work at age 12. Requires work certificates for formal employment.

Always check your state's specific requirements before your teen starts a formal job.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

: Under federal law (FLSA), the minimum age for non-agricultural work is 14. However, kids of any age can do informal work like babysitting, yard work, and pet care. Some states allow agricultural work as young as 12 with parental consent.
: Federal law limits 14-15 year olds to 3 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days, and no more than 18 hours during a school week. Work must be between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day). Many states have stricter limits.
: It depends on your state. Many states require work permits or employment certificates for workers under 16 or 18. Check your state labor department website. Informal jobs like babysitting and yard work generally do not require permits in any state.
: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings for workers aged 16-19 are about $622/week for full-time work. For part-time and informal work, pay varies: babysitting averages $15-25/hr, dog walking $15-30/hr, and fast food starts at minimum wage (typically $7.25-15/hr depending on state).
: Research from the National Institutes of Health suggests that working up to 20 hours per week during school is the sweet spot. Below that threshold, teen employment is associated with better work confidence and career readiness. Above 20 hours, grades and well-being start to suffer.

Help your teen manage their earnings

Penny Time helps families track allowance, savings goals, and spending. Free for the whole family.

No credit card. No ads. No strings.