NM · age-by-state job guide
What jobs can a 16 year old do in New Mexico?
Quick answer for 16-year-olds in New Mexico — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from New Mexico state labor code.
Updated:
Quick answer
- Can a 16-year-old work?
- Yes
- Work permit
- Not required
- Minimum work age
- 14+
New Mexico Age Certificate
In New Mexico
Legal work hours
New Mexico sets different hour caps depending on whether school is in session.
During the school year
- Hours per day
- 8 hr
- Hours per week
- 44 hr
- Time window
- 05:00 – 00:00
Daily cap of 8 hours and weekly cap of 44 hours during the school year.
Summer / school breaks
- Hours per day
- 8 hr
- Hours per week
- 48 hr
- Time window
- 05:00 – 00:00
Summer cap rises to 48 hours.
Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old
General age-appropriate jobs under federal FLSA. New Mexico adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.
- Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Distinctive New Mexico rule: NM has no state daily / weekly hour cap or time-of-day restriction for 16-17-year-olds beyond the federal HO list. The NM DWS Employment Permit is not required at 16-17.
- Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification)
- Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment
Distinctive New Mexico rule: NMSA § 60-7B-2 sets the minimum age to sell, serve, or be employed in dispensing alcoholic beverages at 19 — stricter than the typical 18 floor in most states. 16-year-olds may cashier and stock non-alcohol retail but cannot ring or serve alcohol until 19.
- 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 Mexico
- 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(NMSA §50-6-3)
- Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 19(NMSA §60-7B-1)
Related guides
Read the full New Mexico 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.