# Teen work rules in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 16 (from Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Equal Rights Division (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. There are no state hour limits at 16 and 17.

- Minimum age: 14
- Work permit: required under 16
- 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: no limits

## 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

- DWD – Work Permits: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/laborstandards/workpermit/
- DWD – Wisconsin Employment of Minors Guide (formerly ERD-4758-P), incl. Hours and Times of Day Minors May Work: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/laborstandards/workpermit/minoremployment.htm
- DWD – Guide to Wisconsin's Employment of Minors Laws (formerly ERD-17231-P): https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/laborstandards/workpermit/lawguide.htm
- DWD – Work permit guide for parents and guardians: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/laborstandards/workpermit/workpermitsteps.htm
- WPR – Evers vetoes SB 436, which would have ended permits for 14–15-year-olds (April 8, 2024): https://wpr.org/news/wisconsin-work-permit-requirement-teens-governor-veto
- DWD – Draft rule revising ch. DWD 270 (Dec 23, 2025; draft, not in effect when reviewed): https://www.dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/admin-rules/pdf/dwd-270-draft-rule-12-23-2025.pdf
- 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WHD – Employment/Age Certification table, as of 2024-01-01 (lists WI permits as under 18, mandatory, permit officers; outdated – 2017 Wis. Act 11 limited permits to under 16): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/age-certificates

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