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Can you work at 14 in Oregon?

In Oregon, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. Oregon 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.

State law · checked October 2026

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

Work permit in Oregon

Teens 14–17 don't need their own work permit in Oregon. Instead, any employer who hires minors under 18 applies to BOLI once a year for an Employment Certificate (online, or on paper by emailing child.labor@boli.oregon.gov). The application lists the expected number of minors, their duties and any equipment they'll use. The employer posts the validated certificate where workers can see it, checks each minor's proof of age (passport, driver's license or birth certificate), and keeps a list of minors hired. If job duties change, the employer files a Notice of Change. Official permit page →

Hour limits for teens in Oregon

Ages 14–15Ages 16–17
School day3 h—
School week18 h44 h
Non-school day8 h—
Non-school week40 h—
Time of day7 a.m.–7 p.m.; until 9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day—

No work during school hours. 6 days a week at most (DOL table: 8-40-6 / 3-18-6). Up to 44 hours a week, year-round. No daily limit and no state nightwork limit (BOLI: 'any hours'). Other federal and state hazardous-job bans still apply, e.g. no delivery of messages or goods between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Breaks: Minors get a paid rest break of at least 15 minutes for every 4 hours worked or major part of 4 hours (adults get 10). They also get a meal period of at least 30 minutes when they work 6 hours or more. Meal-period exceptions don't apply to 14–15-year-olds (BOLI).

Recent law changes

  1. HB 4013 (signed 2026-03-05, takes effect 2027-01-01): BOLI may not set minors' work-hour rules looser than the federal FLSA as of Jan. 1, 2026. It may set stricter rules if new laws increase protections. Source

Places that hire at 14 in Oregon

Places that hire at 15 in Oregon

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Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Oregon?

14 for most jobs. In general a minor must be at least 14 to work. BOLI may approve younger workers in agriculture or entertainment, and employing a minor under 14 needs a BOLI permit. Child labor laws don't cover newspaper delivery, domestic work in private homes (babysitting, lawn mowing) or youth soccer referees.

Do you need a work permit in Oregon?

Teens 14–17 don't need their own work permit in Oregon. Instead, any employer who hires minors under 18 applies to BOLI once a year for an Employment Certificate (online, or on paper by emailing child.labor@boli.oregon.gov). The application lists the expected number of minors, their duties and any equipment they'll use. The employer posts the validated certificate where workers can see it, checks each minor's proof of age (passport, driver's license or birth certificate), and keeps a list of minors hired. If job duties change, the employer files a Notice of Change.

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

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.; until 9 p.m. June 1–Labor Day.

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

Oregon limits 16- and 17-year-olds: 44 h in a school week.

Which jobs hire at 14 in Oregon?

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

Sources

State agency: Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), Wage and Hour Division – Child Labor Unit

  1. BOLI – Minor Workers (For Employers), incl. FAQ (2026-10)
  2. US DOL WHD – Selected State Child Labor Standards (non-farm), as of 2025-07-15 (2025-07-15)
  3. US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table, as of 2024-01-01 (under 18, mandatory, labor dept; employer annual certificate) (2024-01-01)
  4. Bloomberg Government – Oregon Aligns Minors' Work Hours With Federal Limits (HB 4013) (2026-03)

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