How many hours can a 15 year old work in Connecticut during summer?

During summer or school breaks, a 15-year-old in Connecticut can work up to 8 hr per day and 40 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 21:00.

Does a 15 year old need a work permit in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut requires a work permit for 15-year-olds. The minor obtains a Promise of Employment from the prospective employer, then applies at their school issuing officer's office with proof of age and a parent or guardian's signature. Working papers are job-specific and must be reissued for each new employer. Mercantile establishments use Form ED-301; manufacturing and mechanical use Form ED-302.

CT · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 15 year old do in Connecticut?

Q: What jobs can a 15 year old do in Connecticut?

Connecticut restricts general employment at this age except for narrow exceptions.

Quick answer for 15-year-olds in Connecticut — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Connecticut state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 15-year-old work?: No
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

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

During the school year

Hours per day: Not permitted
Hours per week: Not permitted
Time window: No state limit

Connecticut restricts general employment for 14-15-year-olds to a narrow list of approved jobs (recreation, agriculture, retail with limits) and only when school is not in session. Most employers cannot hire this age group during the school year.

Summer / school breaks

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

Summer hours apply from the last day of school in June through Labor Day for the approved job categories.

Common allowed jobs for a 15-year-old

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

Lifeguard at a non-elevated traditional swimming pool (with Working Papers)
Connecticut mirrors the federal 15+ threshold; elevated pools, water parks, and natural water stay 16+. Working Papers (Form ED-301) are required even for the lifeguard role.
Retail cashier (mercantile, summer-only, with Working Papers ED-301)
Recreation, summer-camp, or community-program assistant (with Working Papers)
Tutoring younger students
Park, recreation, or community-center program assistant
Hand-tool yard work for neighbors
Newspaper delivery on a regular route

Restricted in Connecticut

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)
Manufacturing employment for minors under 16(Conn. Gen. Stat. §31-23)
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16(Conn. Gen. Stat. §31-23a)

Other ages in Connecticut

Same age, other states

Read the full Connecticut rules

This page summarizes the rules for 15-year-olds. For all ages, age-band breakdown, statute citation, and DOL references, see the full state page.

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