# Teen work rules in Maine

In Maine, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 16 (from School superintendent signs; Maine Department of Labor (Bureau of Labor Standards) issues). 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. 16- and 17-year-olds also have hour limits.

- Minimum age: 14
- Work permit: required under 16
- Hours at 14–15: 3 h on a school day, 18 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week
- Hours at 16–17: limited

## Employers hiring at 14 here

- McDonald's
- Chick-fil-A
- Publix
- Culver's
- Dairy Queen
- Burger King
- Hy-Vee
- Fareway
- Rita's Italian Ice
- Arby's
- Jimmy John's
- Runza
- Braum's
- AMC Theatres

## Sources

- Maine DOL – Maine Laws Governing the Employment of Minors: https://www.maine.gov/labor/labor_laws/minorsguide/
- 26 MRSA §774 – Hours of employment (data extracted 2026-10-05): https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/26/title26sec774.html
- 26 MRSA §775 – Work permits: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/26/title26sec775.html
- US DOL WHD – State child labor laws: hours and nightwork: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/child-labor
- US DOL WHD – Employment/age certification under state child labor laws: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/age-certificates

Page: https://hiringage.com/maine/ — please cite with a link.