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

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Connecticut can work up to 8 hr per day and 48 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 00:00.

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

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

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

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Connecticut with the following limits during the school year: 6 hr per school day, 32 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 23:00. Work permit required.

Quick answer for 16-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 16-year-old work?: Yes
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 school day: 6 hr
Hours per non-school day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 32 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 23:00

School-week cap of 32 hours (6 hours on a school day, 8 on a non-school day). In mercantile/restaurant work, may extend to 11:00 PM on Friday-Saturday and to midnight on nights not preceding a school day.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 00:00

Up to midnight during the summer (June 1 through Labor Day) in mercantile establishments.

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers (with Working Papers, Form ED-301 or ED-302)
Connecticut requires job-specific Working Papers (ED-301 mercantile or ED-302 manufacturing/mechanical) for every minor 16-17. The state caps 16-17-year-olds at 32 hrs per school week (6 hrs on a school day, 8 on a non-school day), 6 AM–11 PM, with extension to 11 PM Fri-Sat and to midnight on nights not preceding a school day in mercantile or restaurant work.
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification and Working Papers)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment (with Working Papers ED-301)
Distinctive Connecticut rule: state law has no separate carve-out for parent-owned non-agricultural businesses — a minor working in a parent-owned restaurant, store, or mechanical shop must still obtain Working Papers and is subject to the same hour caps as any unrelated employer.
Office assistant, receptionist, or data-entry clerk (with Working Papers)
Park, recreation, and camp staff
Warehouse jobs without power-driven hoists (HO-7) or forklifts
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house roles

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

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