KY · age-by-state job guide
What jobs can a 14 year old do in Kentucky?
Quick answer for 14-year-olds in Kentucky — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Kentucky state labor code.
Updated:
Quick answer
- Can a 14-year-old work?
- Yes
- Work permit
- Not required
- Minimum work age
- 14+
In Kentucky
Legal work hours
Kentucky 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. Kentucky adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.
- Retail cashier or sales clerk
Kentucky does not require a state work permit. For minors under 18 still in school, the employer should keep a written notification from the parent or guardian acknowledging the work schedule under KRS § 339.230.
- Counter food-service or drive-thru (no flame cooking)
Kentucky 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 Kentucky
- 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(KRS 339.230)
- Working in coal or other mining operations (any minor)(KRS 339.230)
Related guides
Read the full Kentucky 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.