AR · age-by-state job guide
What jobs can a 16 year old do in Arkansas?
Quick answer for 16-year-olds in Arkansas — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Arkansas state labor code.
Updated:
Quick answer
- Can a 16-year-old work?
- Yes
- Work permit
- Not required
- Minimum work age
- 14+
In Arkansas
Legal work hours
Arkansas sets different hour caps depending on whether school is in session.
During the school year
- Hours per day
- 10 hr
- Hours per week
- 54 hr
- Time window
- 06:00 – 23:00
Daily cap of 10 hours and weekly cap of 54 hours during the school year. 11:00 PM school-night curfew.
Summer / school breaks
- Hours per day
- 10 hr
- Hours per week
- 54 hr
- Time window
- 06:00 – 00:00
Up to midnight on nights not preceding a school day. Weekly cap remains 54 hours.
Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old
General age-appropriate jobs under federal FLSA. Arkansas adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.
- Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Distinctive Arkansas rule: 16-17-year-olds are capped at 10 hrs per day and 54 hrs per week (one of the most permissive weekly caps in the nation), with an 11 PM school-night curfew (midnight on nights not preceding a school day).
- Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification)
- Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment
Distinctive Arkansas rule: sale or service of alcoholic beverages stays off-limits until 19 under A.C.A. § 3-3-218 — stricter than the typical 18 floor in most states.
- Office assistant, receptionist, or data-entry clerk
- Park, recreation, and camp staff
- Warehouse jobs without power-driven hoists (HO-7) or forklifts
- Hotel and hospitality front-of-house roles
Restricted in Arkansas
- 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(A.C.A. §11-6-110)
- Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 19(A.C.A. §3-3-218)
Related guides
Read the full Arkansas 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.