ICHS - Iowa Comprehensive Human Services

Child Labor Laws

When Can I Work?

If you are 14 or 15,
You 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 non-school week
____________

If you are 16 or older,
You can work any hours
____________

To Find Out More

Visit us on the Internet
Youthrules.dol.gov

U.S. Department of Labor
Wage and Hour

Toll-Free Help Line
1-866-4US-Wage

What Jobs Can I Do?

When you are 13 or younger....
____________

You can baby-sit, deliver newspapers or work as an actor or performer.
____________

When you turn 14 ...

You can work in an office,
Grocery store, retail store, restaurant, movie theater or amusement park.
____________

When you turn 16...

You can work in any job that is not hazardous.

Youth cannot work in mining, logging, meatpacking, roofing, excavation or demolition. You cannot drive a car or forklift. You cannot work with saws, explosives, radioactive materials or most power-driven machines.

Every year, millions of teens work in part-time or summer jobs that provide great opportunities for learning important life skills and acquiring hands-on experience. Federal and State rules regarding young workers strike a balance between ensuring sufficient time for educational opportunities and allowing appropriate work experiences.

There are many opportunities for businesses to employ young workers - and help prepare them to be competitive in the 21st Century workplace. But, there are also Federal and State rules limiting the hours teens can work.

If there are questions, the resources on the Youth Rules website will help you understand the hours and jobs teens can work.

YouthRules website