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

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Ohio can work up to No state limit per day and No state limit per week, time window 06:00 – 01:00.

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

Yes. Ohio requires a work permit for 16-year-olds. The minor obtains a Pledge of Employment from the prospective employer, then applies at their school's administrative office with proof of age, a physician's certificate of physical fitness, and parent or guardian consent. The certificate is job-specific and must be reissued for each new employer.

OH · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 16 year old do in Ohio?

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

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Ohio with the following limits during the school year: No state limit per school day, No state limit per week, time window 07:00 – 23:00. Work permit required.

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

Ohio 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: 07:00 – 23:00

No state hour cap, but 16-17-year-olds may not work past 11:00 PM on a school night or before 7:00 AM on a school day. Up to 1:00 AM and from 6:00 AM with written parental consent on non-school nights.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: No state limit
Hours per week: No state limit
Time window: 06:00 – 01:00

Time-of-day restrictions relax during school breaks; federal FLSA has no hour cap for this age group in non-hazardous work.

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

General age-appropriate jobs under federal FLSA. Ohio 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. Ohio Age and Schooling Certificate (Form 1-IM-2) still required for every minor under 18 and remains job-specific.
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment
Ohio Age and Schooling Certificate must be reissued for each new employer — keep that in mind when switching jobs.
Office assistant, receptionist, or data-entry clerk
Park, recreation, and camp staff
Warehouse jobs without power-driven hoists (HO-7) or forklifts
Working in or around freezers and meat coolers stays restricted for every minor under 18 in Ohio.
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house roles

Restricted in Ohio

All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines(HO-10)
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16 without adult supervision(OAC 4101:9-2-08)
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof(HO-16)
Working in or around freezers and meat coolers(ORC §4109.06)

Other ages in Ohio

Same age, other states

Read the full Ohio 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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