How many hours can a 14 year old work in Alabama during summer?

During summer or school breaks, a 14-year-old in Alabama can work up to 8 hr per day and 40 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 21:00.

Does a 14 year old need a work permit in Alabama?

Yes. Alabama requires a work permit for 14-year-olds. Alabama uses an employer-based permit system: the employer (not the minor) applies online to the Alabama Department of Labor for a Child Labor Certificate covering all minors at that worksite. The minor presents an Eligibility-to-Work form signed by a parent/guardian and the minor's school. Permits are renewed annually.

AL · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 14 year old do in Alabama?

Q: What jobs can a 14 year old do in Alabama?

Yes — a 14-year-old can work in Alabama with the following limits during the school year: 3 hr per school day, 18 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 19:00. Work permit required.

Quick answer for 14-year-olds in Alabama — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Alabama state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 14-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

Alabama sets different hour caps depending on whether school is in session.

During the school year

Hours per school day: 3 hr
Hours per non-school day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 18 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 19:00

No work during school hours.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 40 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 21:00

Summer hours apply June 1 through Labor Day; evening cutoff extends to 9:00 PM.

Common allowed jobs for a 14-year-old

General age-appropriate jobs under federal FLSA. Alabama adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.

Retail cashier or sales clerk (with Eligibility-to-Work form)
Alabama uses an employer-based system: the employer applies online to the Alabama Department of Labor for an annual Child Labor Certificate covering the worksite. The minor presents a Class I or Class II Eligibility-to-Work form signed by a parent and the school.
Counter food-service or drive-thru (no flame cooking)
Alabama caps 14-15-year-olds at 3 hrs per school day, 18 per school week, 7 AM–7 PM during the school year (9 PM June 1–Labor Day).
Office or clerical work — filing, data entry, reception
Tutoring younger students
Park, recreation, or community-center program assistant
Hand-tool yard work for neighbors
Power-driven mowers, weed-whackers, and chainsaws stay 16+ under federal HO-6 / HO-12.
Newspaper delivery on a regular route
Federal FLSA carve-out at 29 USC § 213(d).

Restricted in Alabama

All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines(HO-10)
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof(HO-16)
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16 without adult supervision(Ala. Code §25-8-43)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 19(Ala. Code §28-3A-25)

Other ages in Alabama

Same age, other states

Read the full Alabama rules

This page summarizes the rules for 14-year-olds. For all ages, age-band breakdown, statute citation, and DOL references, see the full state page.

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