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

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Georgia 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 Georgia?

No. Georgia does not require a state-issued work permit for 16-year-olds. Employers must keep proof of age on file.

GA · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 16 year old do in Georgia?

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

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Georgia with the following limits during the school year: No state limit per school day, No state limit per week, time window No state limit. Work permit not required.

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

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 16-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Not required
Minimum work age: 12+

Legal work hours

Georgia 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: No state limit

Georgia imposes no state hour limit on 16- and 17-year-olds; federal FLSA also has no hour cap for this age group in non-hazardous work.

Summer / school breaks

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

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Georgia drops the Employment Certificate at 16; the employer keeps proof of age on file instead.
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment
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 Georgia

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(O.C.G.A. §39-2-2)
Operating power-driven hoists or elevators(HO-7)

Other ages in Georgia

Same age, other states

Read the full Georgia 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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