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

During summer or school breaks, a 14-year-old in Missouri 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 Missouri?

Yes. Missouri requires a work permit for 14-year-olds. Minors 14-15 must obtain a Work Certificate from their school superintendent before starting work. The minor presents a Statement of Intent to Employ from the employer along with proof of age. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a state-issued certificate; the employer keeps age verification on file.

MO · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 14 year old do in Missouri?

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

Yes — a 14-year-old can work in Missouri 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 Missouri — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Missouri 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

Missouri 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. Missouri adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.

Retail cashier or sales clerk (with Missouri Work Certificate)
Missouri requires a Work Certificate for minors 14-15 — issued by the local school district superintendent on presentation of an employer's Statement of Intent to Employ plus proof of age (16-17-year-olds don't need a certificate).
Counter food-service or drive-thru (no flame cooking)
Missouri 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 Missouri

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(RSMo §294.040)
Adult entertainment establishments (any minor)(RSMo §294.040)

Other ages in Missouri

Same age, other states

Read the full Missouri 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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