How many hours can a 15-year-old work in the summer?

Non-agricultural work for minors aged 14 and 15 is limited, especially with how many hours the minor can work. These minors may not work:

• More than three hours per day on school days, including Fridays

• Over 18 hours a week when school is in session

• More than eight hours per day when school is not in session

• More than 40 hours a week when school is not in session

• Before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. (after 9:00 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day)

The work is limited to:

• Retail occupations including cashiering, selling, price marking, packing, and shelving

• Creative or intellectual work (e.g., tutoring, singing, or computer programming)

• Delivery work by foot, bicycle, or public transportation

• Yard work that does not include electric equipment (e.g., power-driven mowers or trimmers)

• Kitchen and food service work (e.g., washing dishes or reheating food)

• Some work involving cars and trucks, including dispensing gasoline or car washing

• Cleaning produce, wrapping, labeling, weighing, pricing, and stocking of items only in areas separate from a freezer or meat cooler

• Loading or unloading work-site objects such as rakes or shovels

• Employees in this age group must meet specific requirements before they can perform limited tasks in woodshops or sawmills

Each state, as well as each employer, may also have their own policies regarding the hours and types of jobs that minors can work, so it is important to check with the employer to understand their specific requirements and restrictions.