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Can you work at 14 in Kansas?

In Kansas, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. Kansas does not require a state work permit. 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 Kansas

No permit is needed for under-16s who are enrolled in or attending a secondary school in Kansas (K.S.A. 38-604). A minor under 16 who is not in school needs a work permit from the school superintendent or a district court judge, and the employer keeps it on file (K.S.A. 38-604, 38-606).

Hour limits for teens in Kansas

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: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. before a school day; no end time on other nights.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 8, schoolWeek 40, nonSchoolDay 8, nonSchoolWeek 40. K.S.A. 38-603: under 16, no more than 8 hours a day or 40 a week, and no work before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. except on evenings not before a school day. Kansas has no separate school-day or school-week limit. Federal FLSA is stricter (3 hours on a school day, 18 a school week, 7 p.m. end during the school year, 9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day) and wins for covered employers. No state limits beyond federal (none for 16–17).

Places that hire at 14 in Kansas

Places that hire at 15 in Kansas

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

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Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Kansas?

14 for most jobs. No child under 14 may be employed in any occupation (K.S.A. 38-601), except as K.S.A. 38-614 allows. Not counted as employment: work for parents in non-hazardous jobs, domestic service, casual labor at a private home, delivery or messenger work, newspaper delivery, farm work, and performers (who follow separate rules).

Do you need a work permit in Kansas?

No permit is needed for under-16s who are enrolled in or attending a secondary school in Kansas (K.S.A. 38-604). A minor under 16 who is not in school needs a work permit from the school superintendent or a district court judge, and the employer keeps it on file (K.S.A. 38-604, 38-606).

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

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: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. before a school day; no end time on other nights..

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

Kansas 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 Kansas?

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

Sources

State agency: Kansas Department of Labor

  1. K.S.A. 38-603 – Children under 16, employment (hours); last amended 1973 (2026)
  2. K.S.A. 38-601 – Children under 14, employment (2026)
  3. K.S.A. 38-604 – Work permit required; exception (2026)
  4. K.S.A. 38-606 – Work permits, requirements before issuance (2026)
  5. K.S.A. 38-614 – Activities not considered employment (2026)
  6. US DOL WHD – State child labor laws applicable to non-farm employment (KS: 8-40; 10 p.m. before school day to 7 a.m.) (2025-07-15)
  7. US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table (KS: under 16 not enrolled in secondary school, 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.