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Can you work at 14 in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 16 (from School (local school officials)). 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 Nebraska

14–15-year-olds need an employment certificate from local school officials. It's valid for one year and made in three copies: one each for the employer, the Nebraska Department of Labor and the school. Age certificates for 16 and over are available from schools on request.

Hour limits for teens in Nebraska

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 dayFederal: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; 9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day. State: 6 a.m.–10 p.m. for 14–15; past 10 p.m. only before a non-school day with the employer's special Department of Labor permit.No limit

State law (48-310) allows up to 8 hours a day and 48 a week, until 10 p.m.; federal FLSA limits are stricter, and NDOL forms tell employers to follow the more restrictive law. No state hour limits for 16–17 found in the statute or the DOL table.

Places that hire at 14 in Nebraska

Places that hire at 15 in Nebraska

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

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Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Nebraska?

14 for most jobs. State law sets an 8 p.m. limit for children under 14 who may work (Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-310). Federal law sets 14 as the minimum for most non-farm jobs.

Do you need a work permit in Nebraska?

14–15-year-olds need an employment certificate from local school officials. It's valid for one year and made in three copies: one each for the employer, the Nebraska Department of Labor and the school. Age certificates for 16 and over are available from schools on request.

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

Up to 3 h on a school day, 18 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week, between Federal: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; 9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day. State: 6 a.m.–10 p.m. for 14–15; past 10 p.m. only before a non-school day with the employer's special Department of Labor permit..

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

Nebraska 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 Nebraska?

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: Nebraska Department of Labor, Labor Standards

  1. Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-310 (2024) – hours of children under 16 (2024)
  2. Nebraska DOL – employment certificate form for minors 14–15
  3. US DOL WHD – Selected State Child Labor Standards (non-farm), as of 2025-07-15 (2025-07-15)
  4. US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table, as of 2024-01-01 (2024-01-01)

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