The rules vary by age and task. Some state child labor laws are inconsistent with the federal child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. 212(c), and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR Part 570. Where a state child labor law is less restrictive than the federal law, the federal law applies. Where a state child labor law is more restrictive than the federal law, the state law applies.
Does your teenager want to wait tables at a restaurant? Bag groceries at the local supermarket? What about a summer job working with a construction contractor? Before your teenager starts a job, please check whether your teenager can work at that job while under the age of 18.
Does your teenager want to work on a ranch or a farm, or do another agricultural job? Does harvesting blueberries, cutting hay, herding cattle, or being a farmhand interest your child? If so, check the dos and don’ts of working in agriculture if your child is under the age of 18.
Explore our young worker toolkit to better understand federal child labor laws.
