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Can you work at 14 in Georgia?

In Georgia, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 16 (from school (county or city superintendent or designee, licensed private school principal, or the parent running a home study program)). At 14 and 15 you can work up to 3 h on a school day, 18 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week. There are no state hour limits at 16 and 17.

State law · checked October 2026

No work permitPermit until 16Permit until 18Most jobs from 16

Work permit in Georgia

After a job offer, the minor starts the work-permit data sheet online or on paper and the employer fills in the job details. A school Issuing Officer checks the minor's birth certificate and issues the Employment Certificate, with a letter confirming full-time enrollment and good attendance. The employer keeps it on site. No permit is needed at 16 or older, except for minors in entertainment. Official permit page →

Hour limits for teens in Georgia

Ages 14–15Ages 16–17
School day3 hNo limit
School week18 hNo limit
Non-school day8 hNo limit
Non-school week40 hNo limit
Time of day7 a.m.–7 p.m.; 9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day (federal, stricter). State law alone: 6 a.m.–9 p.m..No limit

Numbers shown are the effective limits: federal FLSA rules are stricter and apply to nearly all employers. The state statute alone allows schoolDay 4, schoolWeek 40, nonSchoolDay 8, nonSchoolWeek 40. These are Georgia statute limits (O.C.G.A. 39-2-3, 39-2-7: 4 hours on a school day, 8 on other days, 40 a week, no work 9 p.m.–6 a.m., none during school hours). Federal FLSA is stricter (3 hours on a school day, 18 a school week, 7 p.m. end during the school year) and wins for covered employers. The GDOL work-hour page shows only the federal 3/8/18/40 limits for ages 14–15. GDOL: 'Minors 16 and 17 years of age have no state or federal law work hour restrictions.'

Places that hire at 14 in Georgia

Places that hire at 15 in Georgia

Company minimums combined with Georgia law. Franchise locations can set a higher age. “✓ seen here” means we found a real posting in Georgia.

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Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Georgia?

14 for most jobs. Federal FLSA sets 14 for most non-farm jobs. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 39-2-9, 39-2-11) allows work from 12 with an employment certificate. Under 16: no mills, factories, laundries, manufacturing or hazardous jobs. Exceptions: farm work, domestic service, work for a parent, and minors in entertainment (who need GDOL consent).

Do you need a work permit in Georgia?

After a job offer, the minor starts the work-permit data sheet online or on paper and the employer fills in the job details. A school Issuing Officer checks the minor's birth certificate and issues the Employment Certificate, with a letter confirming full-time enrollment and good attendance. The employer keeps it on site. No permit is needed at 16 or older, except for minors in entertainment.

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

Up to 3 h on a school day, 18 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week, between 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; 9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day (federal, stricter). State law alone: 6 a.m.–9 p.m...

How many hours can a 16-year-old work in Georgia?

Georgia has no hour limits for 16- and 17-year-olds; federal law doesn't either. Hazardous jobs are still off-limits until 18.

Which jobs hire at 14 in Georgia?

Chick-fil-A, AMC Theatres, McDonald's, Publix, Culver's, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Hy-Vee and others hire at 14 at some locations.

Sources

State agency: Georgia Department of Labor, Child Labor Unit

  1. GDOL – Employment Certificate Instructions (2026)
  2. GDOL – Get a Youth Work Permit Online (permits not required 16+ since 2015-07-01) (2026)
  3. GDOL – Child Labor Work Hour Restrictions (2026)
  4. GDOL – Georgia Laws & Rules Regulating Employment of Children (O.C.G.A. 39-2) (2026)
  5. US DOL WHD – State child labor laws applicable to non-farm employment (2025-07-15)
  6. US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table (GA: employment certificate ages 12–15, mandatory, issued by school) (2024-01-01)

Federal rules (the Fair Labor Standards Act) apply too; where they differ, the stricter rule wins. General information, not legal advice.