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

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Vermont can work up to 8 hr per day and 50 hr per week, time window No state limit.

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

No. Vermont does not require a state-issued work permit for 16-year-olds. Employers must keep proof of age on file.

VT · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 16 year old do in Vermont?

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

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Vermont with the following limits during the school year: 8 hr per school day, 50 hr per week, time window No state limit. Work permit not required.

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

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 16-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Not required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

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

During the school year

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 50 hr
Time window: No state limit

Vermont's only state-specific cap on 16-17 is a 50-hour weekly limit during the school year and a daily 8-hour cap on school days.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 50 hr
Time window: No state limit

Same 50-hour weekly cap year-round.

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Distinctive Vermont rule: 16-17-year-olds do not need the VT Work Permit (only 14-15 do under 21 V.S.A. § 431). Vermont has no state daily / weekly hour cap or time-of-day restriction for 16-17-year-olds beyond the federal HO list.
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment (non-alcohol)
Vermont follows the typical state alcohol-server-age of 18 under 7 V.S.A. § 658 for beer / wine service in licensed restaurants. 16-year-olds may cashier and stock non-alcohol retail but cannot sell or serve alcohol until 18.
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 (no alcohol service)

Restricted in Vermont

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(21 V.S.A. §433)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 18(7 V.S.A. §658)

Other ages in Vermont

Same age, other states

Read the full Vermont 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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