# Teen work rules in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 18 (from School district issuing officer (usually the high school guidance office) in the district where the minor lives). 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

- 2023-01-02: Act 117 of 2022 made permanent the pandemic-era rule letting work-permit applicants appear before the school issuing officer virtually or in person.

## Employers hiring at 14 here

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

## Sources

- PA L&I – Child Labor Act (incl. FAQ): https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/resources/compliance-laws-and-regulations/labor-management-relations/child-labor-act
- PA Department of Education – Child Labor Law / Work Permit FAQs: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/schools/school-services/child-labor-law
- 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 (under 18, mandatory, school-issued): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/age-certificates

Page: https://hiringage.com/pennsylvania/ — please cite with a link.