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Can you work at 14 in New York?

In New York, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 18 (from School (guidance office); NYSDOL issues child performer permits). 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 New York

Get working papers from your school's guidance office (out-of-school youth apply at the nearest public school; in NYC, at a local public high school). You need a doctor's exam from the last 12 months and proof of age, plus a parent's signature. Blue AT-18 for 14–15, green AT-19 for 16–17 in school, salmon AT-20 for 16–17 not in school. The employer keeps the certificate on file. NYSDOL says a digital working-papers portal is coming in 2027. Official permit page →

Hour limits for teens in New York

Ages 14–15Ages 16–17
School day3 h4 h
School week18 h28 h
Non-school day8 h—
Non-school week40 h—
Time of day7 a.m.–7 p.m. from the day after Labor Day to June 20; 7 a.m.–9 p.m. June 21–Labor DaySchool in session: 6 a.m.–10 p.m. (until midnight before a school day with written parent permission and a school certificate of satisfactory academic standing; until midnight before a non-school day with parent consent). School not in session: 6 a.m.–midnight.

6 days a week at most. A Saturday or other non-school day during a school week allows 8 hours. The summer 9 p.m. limit starts June 21 under state law (federal starts June 1); the stricter rule applies. During school weeks (if enrolled): 4 hours Monday–Thursday, 8 hours on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or holidays, 28 hours a week, 6 days. During vacations: 8 hours a day, 48 hours a week, 6 days.

Places that hire at 14 in New York

Places that hire at 15 in New York

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

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Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in New York?

14 for most jobs. Working papers cover ages 14–17. Exceptions with special permits: newspaper carriers (from 11), farm hand-harvest of berries, fruits and vegetables (12–13), child performers and models. No one under 16 may work on a factory floor.

Do you need a work permit in New York?

Get working papers from your school's guidance office (out-of-school youth apply at the nearest public school; in NYC, at a local public high school). You need a doctor's exam from the last 12 months and proof of age, plus a parent's signature. Blue AT-18 for 14–15, green AT-19 for 16–17 in school, salmon AT-20 for 16–17 not in school. The employer keeps the certificate on file. NYSDOL says a digital working-papers portal is coming in 2027.

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

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. from the day after Labor Day to June 20; 7 a.m.–9 p.m. June 21–Labor Day.

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

New York limits 16- and 17-year-olds: 4 h on a school day, 28 h in a school week, School in session: 6 a.m.–10 p.m. (until midnight before a school day with written parent permission and a school certificate of satisfactory academic standing; until midnight before a non-school day with parent consent). School not in session: 6 a.m.–midnight..

Which jobs hire at 14 in New York?

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: New York State Department of Labor, Division of Labor Standards

  1. NYSDOL – Working Papers (2026-10)
  2. NYSDOL – Hours of Work for Minors (2026-10)
  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.