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Can you work at 14 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.

State law · checked October 2026

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

Work permit in Pennsylvania

A parent or guardian signs the work permit application. If they can't, the minor signs a notarized statement. The minor gives the school district's issuing officer proof of age (e.g. birth certificate or passport), then signs the permit in front of the officer, in person or virtually. A job offer isn't needed first. The permit is one wallet-size card, valid at any employer until age 18. The minor gives the employer a copy, and the employer tells the issuing officer within 5 days when the job starts and ends. High school graduates still need a permit but can skip the parent signature and in-person step. The officer may refuse or revoke a permit over poor school performance. Official permit page →

Hour limits for teens in Pennsylvania

Ages 14–15Ages 16–17
School day3 h8 h
School week18 h28 h
Non-school day8 h—
Non-school week40 h—
Time of day7 a.m.–7 p.m. when school is in session; 7 a.m.–9 p.m. during summer vacation (June to Labor Day)School in session: 6 a.m.–midnight (until 1 a.m. before a non-school day, per DOL table). Vacation: 6 a.m.–1 a.m.

No more than 6 consecutive days (except newspaper delivery). Different rules apply to newspaper carriers, caddies and some farm work. During school weeks: 8 hours on a school day, 28 hours a week. During vacation: 10 hours a day, 48 hours a week, and employers can't require more than 45 hours a week. No more than 6 days a week. Nightwork limits apply to minors enrolled in regular day school, and high school graduates with a permit are exempt from these hour limits.

Breaks: All minors must get a 30-minute meal period on or before 5 consecutive hours of work (L&I Child Labor Act FAQ).

Recent law changes

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

Places that hire at 14 in Pennsylvania

Places that hire at 15 in Pennsylvania

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Questions

What is the youngest age you can work in Pennsylvania?

14 for most jobs. Under 14 may not be employed, with narrow exceptions: news carriers from 11, golf caddies from 12, juvenile performers with a special permit, and family farm or domestic work such as babysitting. For under-16s, a parent or guardian must also sign a written statement approving the job duties and hours (form LLC-75).

Do you need a work permit in Pennsylvania?

A parent or guardian signs the work permit application. If they can't, the minor signs a notarized statement. The minor gives the school district's issuing officer proof of age (e.g. birth certificate or passport), then signs the permit in front of the officer, in person or virtually. A job offer isn't needed first. The permit is one wallet-size card, valid at any employer until age 18. The minor gives the employer a copy, and the employer tells the issuing officer within 5 days when the job starts and ends. High school graduates still need a permit but can skip the parent signature and in-person step. The officer may refuse or revoke a permit over poor school performance.

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

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. when school is in session; 7 a.m.–9 p.m. during summer vacation (June to Labor Day).

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

Pennsylvania limits 16- and 17-year-olds: 8 h on a school day, 28 h in a school week, School in session: 6 a.m.–midnight (until 1 a.m. before a non-school day, per DOL table). Vacation: 6 a.m.–1 a.m..

Which jobs hire at 14 in Pennsylvania?

McDonald's, Rita's Italian Ice, AMC Theatres, Hersheypark, Chick-fil-A, Publix, Culver's, Dairy Queen and others hire at 14 at some locations.

Sources

State agency: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Bureau of Labor Law Compliance

  1. PA L&I – Child Labor Act (incl. FAQ) (2026-10)
  2. PA Department of Education – Child Labor Law / Work Permit FAQs (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 (under 18, mandatory, school-issued) (2024-01-01)

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