How many hours can a 16 year old work in Alabama during summer?

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Alabama can work up to No state limit per day and No state limit per week, time window No state limit.

Does a 16 year old need a work permit in Alabama?

Yes. Alabama requires a work permit for 16-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 16 year old do in Alabama?

Q: What jobs can a 16 year old do in Alabama?

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Alabama with the following limits during the school year: No state limit per school day, No state limit per week, time window 05:00 – 00:00. Work permit required.

Quick answer for 16-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 16-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 day: No state limit
Hours per week: No state limit
Time window: 05:00 – 00:00

No state weekly hour cap. 16-17-year-olds may not work between midnight and 5:00 AM on nights preceding a school day.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: No state limit
Hours per week: No state limit
Time window: No state limit

Time-of-day restrictions lift on non-school nights; federal FLSA has no cap for this age group.

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Alabama imposes no state weekly hour cap on 16-17-year-olds, only a midnight-to-5 AM curfew on nights preceding a school day (no curfew on non-school nights).
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment
Distinctive Alabama rule: sale or service of alcohol stays off-limits until 19 under Ala. Code § 28-3A-25 — stricter than the typical 18 floor in most other states.
Office assistant, receptionist, or data-entry clerk
Park, recreation, and camp staff
Warehouse jobs without power-driven hoists (HO-7) or forklifts
Poultry-processing front-of-house (non-HO-10 tasks only)
Power-driven meat-processing machines (HO-10) remain off-limits at 16-17. Front-end check-in, packaging line away from the slicers, and clean-up shifts are allowed.
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house roles

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 16-year-olds. For all ages, age-band breakdown, statute citation, and DOL references, see the full state page.

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