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

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in California can work up to 8 hr per day and 48 hr per week, time window 05:00 – 00:30.

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

Yes. California requires a work permit for 16-year-olds. Employer signs the Statement of Intent; the minor's school issues the Permit to Work. Required every school year and for each new job.

CA · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 16 year old do in California?

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

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in California with the following limits during the school year: 4 hr per school day, 48 hr per week, time window 05:00 – 22:00. Work permit required.

Quick answer for 16-year-olds in California — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from California state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 16-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 12+

Legal work hours

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

During the school year

Hours per school day: 4 hr
Hours per non-school day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 05:00 – 22:00

Until 12:30 AM on evenings preceding a non-school day.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 05:00 – 00:30

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills, deep fryers, and HO-11 bakery equipment
Permitted at 16+ in food-service. A B1-1 Permit to Work is still required under California Labor Code § 1290.
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with valid certification)
Federal age restrictions on elevated pools / water parks / natural-water lifeguarding lift at 16.
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment
California caps 16-17-year-olds at 4 hrs per school day, 48 hrs per week, until 10 PM (12:30 AM before non-school days).
Office assistant, receptionist, or data-entry clerk
Park, recreation, and camp staff
Power-driven yard tools and lawn-care work
Federal HO-6 (power mowers, weed-whackers) and HO-12 (chainsaws) lift at 16.
Door-to-door sales
CA Labor Code § 1308.1 ban on door-to-door selling lifts at 16. Permit to Work still required under 18.
Acting, TV, or theatrical work with a CA Entertainment Work Permit
Time-on-set cap rises to 10 hrs/day (school day) at age 16-17 under 8 CCR § 11760.

Restricted in California

All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16(CA Labor Code §1308.1)
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines(HO-10)
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof(HO-16)
Excavation operations(HO-17)

Other ages in California

Same age, other states

Read the full California 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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