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

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in New Jersey can work up to 8 hr per day and 48 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 23:30.

Does a 16 year old need a work permit in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey requires a work permit for 16-year-olds. Since the 2023 'Working Papers Modernization' law, New Jersey uses a single combined application. The minor, parent, and employer each complete sections online through the NJ Department of Labor portal; the school then verifies enrollment and issues the working papers electronically. Required for every new job.

NJ · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 16 year old do in New Jersey?

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

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in New Jersey with the following limits during the school year: 8 hr per school day, 40 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 23:00. Work permit required.

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

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

During the school year

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 40 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 23:00

Maximum 6 consecutive days of work. Up to 11:30 PM on nights not preceding a school day with written parental consent.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 23:30

Up to 11:30 PM during the summer. Restaurants and seasonal recreation employers may extend to 12:30 AM with parental consent.

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Permitted at 16+ in food-service. NJ Combined Working Papers (Form A300) still required for every minor under 18; reissued per new employer.
Beach or pool lifeguard (with valid certification)
At 16 the NJ state-stricter under-16 lifeguard ban lifts — minors can lifeguard at non-elevated pools, water parks, and beaches.
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 New Jersey

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 18 without bonded supervisor(N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.17)
Beach and pool lifeguard for minors under 16(NJAC 12:58-3.4)

Other ages in New Jersey

Same age, other states

Read the full New Jersey 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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