How Many Hours Can You Work At 16?

At age 16, you can work unlimited hours in non-hazardous jobs under federal law. However, state laws may impose additional restrictions on working hours, break times, and permitted job types.

Working Hour Restrictions for 16-Year-Olds

While federal law allows unlimited hours, many states set limits to protect young workers. Here’s how different states regulate 16-year-old workers:

1. Federal Rules for 16-Year-Olds

• Can work any number of hours in non-hazardous jobs​.
• Cannot work in hazardous occupations, such as construction, mining, and operating heavy machinery.

2. Alabama Labor Laws

• No restrictions on hours worked for 16-year-olds​.
• Employers are not required to provide meal breaks for employees over 16 years old.

3. California Labor Laws

• School days: Max 4 hours per day, up to 28 hours per week.
• Non-school days: Up to 8 hours per day, max 48 hours per week​.
• Work permits required for 16-year-olds in certain industries.

4. Florida Labor Laws

• School days: Cannot work before 6:30 AM or after 11:00 PM.
• Non-school days: Max 8 hours per day, 30 hours per week​.

5. Illinois Labor Laws

• No work before 7:00 AM or after 9:00 PM.
• School-year limit: Max 6 days per week​.

6. Minnesota Labor Laws

• School days: No more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week.
• Employers must provide a 30-minute meal break for shifts over 5 hours​.

7. Nebraska Labor Laws

• No hourly restrictions for 16-year-olds.
• Cannot work in hazardous jobs​.

8. North Dakota Labor Laws

• No hour restrictions, but must follow federal hazardous job restrictions​.
• Breaks: 30-minute meal period required for shifts over 5 hours if two or more workers are on duty.

Tracking Work Hours for Young Employees

Employers often use a small business scheduling app to manage shift assignments and ensure compliance with state labor laws for 16-year-old workers. To accurately monitor hours worked, businesses implement time tracker devices, preventing unapproved overtime and ensuring proper rest breaks. Additionally, track billable hours tools help verify payroll accuracy, ensuring young workers are paid correctly for their scheduled shifts.

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