MO · age-by-state job guide
What jobs can a 16 year old do in Missouri?
Quick answer for 16-year-olds in Missouri — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Missouri state labor code.
Updated:
Quick answer
- Can a 16-year-old work?
- Yes
- Work permit
- Not required
- Minimum work age
- 14+
Missouri Work Certificate
In Missouri
Legal work hours
Missouri 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
Missouri imposes no state hour or time-of-day restriction on 16-17-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. Missouri adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.
- Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Distinctive Missouri rule: 16-17-year-olds face no state hour cap and no state time-of-day restriction — only the federal HO-1 to HO-17 list still applies. The state Work Certificate is also no longer required at 16.
- 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
Adult-entertainment establishments remain off-limits for any minor under RSMo § 294.040.
- Hotel and hospitality front-of-house roles
Restricted in Missouri
- 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(RSMo §294.040)
- Adult entertainment establishments (any minor)(RSMo §294.040)
Related guides
Read the full Missouri 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.