WV · age-by-state job guide
What jobs can a 16 year old do in West Virginia?
Quick answer for 16-year-olds in West Virginia — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from West Virginia state labor code.
Updated:
Quick answer
- Can a 16-year-old work?
- Yes
- Work permit
- Not required
- Minimum work age
- 14+
West Virginia Work Permit (Form WV WP-1)
In West Virginia
Legal work hours
West Virginia 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
- No state limit
West Virginia imposes no state hour or time-of-day restriction on 16- and 17-year-olds.
Summer / school breaks
- Hours per day
- No state limit
- Hours per week
- No state limit
- Time window
- No state limit
Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old
General age-appropriate jobs under federal FLSA. West Virginia adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.
- Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Distinctive West Virginia rule: WV has no state daily / weekly hour cap or time-of-day restriction for 16-17-year-olds beyond the federal HO list. The Working 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
West Virginia sets the alcohol sale and service age at 18 under W. Va. Code § 60-7-12 — typical floor. 16-year-olds may stock and cashier but cannot pour or sell 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
Restricted in West Virginia
- All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
- Operating power-driven meat-processing machines(HO-10)
- Coal mining and underground mining (any minor)(WV Code §21-6-2)
- Door-to-door sales for minors under 16 without adult supervision(WV Code §21-6-3)
- Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 18(WV Code §60-3A-25)
Related guides
Read the full West Virginia 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.