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

During summer or school breaks, a 15-year-old in Maine 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 Maine?

Yes. Maine requires a work permit for 15-year-olds. Minors 14-15 obtain a Work Permit from their school superintendent. The minor presents the employer's Statement of Intent to Employ along with proof of age and parental consent. The permit is job-specific. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a permit but must keep age verification on file with the employer.

ME · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 15 year old do in Maine?

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

Yes — a 15-year-old can work in Maine 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 15-year-olds in Maine — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Maine state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 15-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

Maine 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 15-year-old

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

Lifeguard at a non-elevated traditional swimming pool
Maine mirrors the federal 15+ threshold; elevated pools, water parks, and natural water stay 16+. ME Work Permit still required.
Retail cashier or sales clerk (with ME Work Permit)
Counter food-service or drive-thru (no flame cooking)
Office or clerical work
Tutoring younger students
Park, recreation, or community-center program assistant
Hand-tool yard work for neighbors
Newspaper delivery on a regular route

Restricted in Maine

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(26 MRSA §775)
Logging and sawmilling for minors under 18(26 MRSA §774)

Other ages in Maine

Same age, other states

Read the full Maine 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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