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

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Oregon can work up to 10 hr per day and 44 hr per week, time window No state limit.

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

Yes. Oregon requires a work permit for 16-year-olds. Oregon uses an employer-based permit: the employer applies online with BOLI for an annual Employment Certificate covering all minor employees at that worksite. The certificate must be renewed yearly. Individual minors do not apply, but the employer must keep age verification on file for each.

OR · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 16 year old do in Oregon?

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

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Oregon with the following limits during the school year: 10 hr per school day, 44 hr per week, time window No state limit. Work permit required.

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

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

During the school year

Hours per day: 10 hr
Hours per week: 44 hr
Time window: No state limit

Daily cap of 10 hours, weekly cap of 44 hours including overtime. Time-and-a-half required for hours over 40/week or 10/day.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 10 hr
Hours per week: 44 hr
Time window: No state limit

Same 10/44 caps year-round. No state time-of-day restriction.

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Distinctive Oregon rule: 16-17-year-olds are capped at 10 hrs per day and 44 hrs per week (including overtime). Time-and-a-half overtime is required for hours over 40/week or 10/day. The employer still holds the BOLI Annual Employment Certificate.
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment
Distinctive Oregon rule: working alone in a retail establishment stays off-limits to minors under 18 under OAR 839-021-0210.
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 Oregon

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(ORS 653.345)
Working alone in a retail establishment for minors under 18(OAR 839-021-0210)

Other ages in Oregon

Same age, other states

Read the full Oregon 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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