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

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Indiana can work up to 9 hr per day and 48 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 00:00.

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

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

IN · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 16 year old do in Indiana?

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

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Indiana with the following limits during the school year: 9 hr per school day, 40 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 22:00. Work permit not required.

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

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 16-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Not required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

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

During the school year

Hours per day: 9 hr
Hours per week: 40 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 22:00

Under HEA 1093 (2025), 16-17-year-olds may work up to 9 hours/day and 40 hours/week during the school year. Up to midnight on nights not preceding a school day with parental consent.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 9 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 00:00

Up to midnight during the summer and school breaks. Weekly cap rises to 48 hours.

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Indiana 16-17-year-olds may work up to 40 hrs per school week and 48 hrs per non-school week; school-night cutoff at 10 PM (midnight with employer documentation).
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 Indiana

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(IC 20-33-3-31)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 19 (servers) or 21 (bartenders)(IC 7.1-5-7-10)

Other ages in Indiana

Same age, other states

Read the full Indiana 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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