# Teen work rules in Minnesota

In Minnesota, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. Minnesota 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. 16- and 17-year-olds also have hour limits.

- Minimum age: 14
- Work permit: not required
- 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

## Recent changes

- 2026-01-01: 2025 legislation updated the meal and rest break law for all workers, minors included. Rest break: at least 15 minutes every 4 consecutive hours. Meal break: at least 30 minutes for shifts of 6 or more consecutive hours (previously 8).
- 2025-07-01: HF 3488 (2024 Minn. Laws ch. 103) bars minors under 14 from paid online content creation and requires creators who feature minors to set aside earnings for them (Minn. Stat. 181A.13).
- 2024-08-01: SF 3852 (2024 Minn. Laws ch. 110, art. 2) toughens child labor enforcement. Fines are now up to the listed amounts per violation, with $1,000 for high school night-hour violations. It also adds employer liability for costs, liquidated damages for hazardous-job violations, and anti-retaliation protection. No effective date is stated in the act, so the default (August 1) is assumed.

## Employers hiring at 14 here

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

## Sources

- Minnesota DLI – Age, hours restrictions: https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/employment-practices/age-hours-restrictions
- Minn. Stat. ch. 181A (2025 edition) – Child labor standards: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/181A/full
- Minnesota DLI – Work breaks, rest periods: https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/employment-practices/work-breaks-rest-periods
- 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/minnesota/ — please cite with a link.