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Can you work at 14 in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 18 (from School (local school district issuing officer, per US DOL table)). 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.

State law · checked October 2026

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

Work permit in Massachusetts

Everyone under 18 needs a work permit before starting a new job. The employer and the minor fill out the state Youth Employment Permit Application, and a parent signs. 14–15-year-olds also need a doctor's certificate of health signed within the last 12 months. The school issues the permit. Official permit page →

Hour limits for teens in Massachusetts

Ages 14–15Ages 16–17
School day3 h9 h
School week18 h48 h
Non-school day8 h—
Non-school week40 h—
Time of day7 a.m.–7 p.m. during the school year; until 9 p.m. July 1–Labor Day6 a.m.–10 p.m. on nights before a school day (10:15 p.m. if the business closes to customers at 10 p.m.); 6 a.m.–11:30 p.m. on other nights; restaurants and racetracks until midnight on nights not before a school day.

When school is in session: 3 hours on school days, 8 on weekends and holidays, 18 a week, 6 days a week. When school is out: 8 hours a day, 40 a week. Never during school hours. The 9 p.m. summer limit starts July 1, later than the federal June 1. Source: mass.gov hours page, seen via search snippet because mass.gov blocked automated fetching. The US DOL table lists a 6:30 a.m. start, but the federal 7 a.m. rule is stricter. 2022–2026 law changes weren't checked. 9 hours a day, 48 a week, 6 days a week, all year. After 8 p.m., all minors need direct adult supervision on site (with a narrow exception for certain enclosed-mall kiosks). Sources: mass.gov hours page (via search snippet) and the US DOL table.

Breaks: General Massachusetts law: a 30-minute meal break for every 6 hours worked. The DOL meal-period table (as of 2023-01-01) notes Massachusetts also has a separate provision for minors; its details were not verified.

Places that hire at 14 in Massachusetts

Places that hire at 15 in Massachusetts

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

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Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Massachusetts?

14 for most jobs. 14 for most jobs (Massachusetts work permits start at 14). Other exceptions weren't checked because mass.gov blocked automated fetching.

Do you need a work permit in Massachusetts?

Everyone under 18 needs a work permit before starting a new job. The employer and the minor fill out the state Youth Employment Permit Application, and a parent signs. 14–15-year-olds also need a doctor's certificate of health signed within the last 12 months. The school issues the permit.

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

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. during the school year; until 9 p.m. July 1–Labor Day.

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

Massachusetts limits 16- and 17-year-olds: 9 h on a school day, 48 h in a school week, 6 a.m.–10 p.m. on nights before a school day (10:15 p.m. if the business closes to customers at 10 p.m.); 6 a.m.–11:30 p.m. on other nights; restaurants and racetracks until midnight on nights not before a school day..

Which jobs hire at 14 in Massachusetts?

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

Sources

State agency: Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, Fair Labor Division (child labor enforcement)

  1. Mass.gov – Massachusetts laws regulating minors' work hours (via search snippet; blocked direct fetch)
  2. Mass.gov – Youth Employment Permit Application
  3. US DOL WHD – State child labor laws: hours and nightwork (2025-07-15)
  4. US DOL WHD – Employment/age certification under state child labor laws (2024-01-01)
  5. US DOL WHD – Minimum meal period requirements (2023-01-01)

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