# Teen work rules in New Jersey

In New Jersey, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 18 (from New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (online)). 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 18
- 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

- 2023-06-01: Under P.L.2022, c.63, NJDOL took over working papers from schools and moved them to an online system (myworkingpapers.nj.gov). Minors under 18, including farmworkers, now register online and need employer and caregiver approval.

## Employers hiring at 14 here

- AMC Theatres
- 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

## Sources

- NJDOL – Child Labor Laws (N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.1 et seq.): https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/tools-resources/laws/childlaborlaws.shtml
- NJDOL – Workers Under 18: https://www.nj.gov/labor/myworkrights/worker-protections/workers_under_18/
- NJDOL – Working Papers Process, Step-by-Step: https://nj.gov/labor/youngworkers/find-a-job/working-papers/steps.shtml
- NJDOL – FAQs: Working Papers for Minors: https://nj.gov/labor/youngworkers/find-a-job/working-papers/faqs.shtml
- US DOL WHD – Selected State Child Labor Standards (non-farm), as of 2025-07-15: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/child-labor
- US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table, as of 2024-01-01 (lists school-issued certificates; superseded by the 2023 online system): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/age-certificates

Page: https://hiringage.com/new-jersey/ — please cite with a link.