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

During summer or school breaks, a 16-year-old in Wisconsin can work up to 8 hr per day and 50 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 00:30.

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

Yes. Wisconsin requires a work permit for 16-year-olds. Permits are issued online by the DWD. The minor pays a $10 fee, provides proof of age, a Social Security number, parental consent, and an employer's letter of intent. A separate permit is required for each new job. The DWD emails the permit to the minor and employer.

WI · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 16 year old do in Wisconsin?

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

Yes — a 16-year-old can work in Wisconsin with the following limits during the school year: 8 hr per school day, 26 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 23:00. Work permit required.

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

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

During the school year

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 26 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 23:00

School-week cap of 26 hours. Up to 50 hours/week with parental consent under the 2017 amendment, but the 11:00 PM school-night curfew still applies.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 50 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 00:30

Up to 12:30 AM on nights not preceding a school day.

Common allowed jobs for a 16-year-old

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

Cooking and baking with grills and deep fryers
Wisconsin's 2017 amendment raised the school-week cap for 16-17-year-olds to 50 hrs with written parental consent (default 26 hrs/school week without consent). The 11 PM school-night curfew (12:30 AM on non-school nights) and the $10-per-job state work permit still apply.
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, or beach (with certification)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment
Office assistant, receptionist, or data-entry clerk
Park, recreation, and camp staff (summer camps + state parks)
Warehouse jobs without power-driven hoists (HO-7) or forklifts
Manufacturing assembly that doesn't trip federal HOs
Selling or serving alcohol on premises licensed for sale stays off-limits under 18 (Wis. Stat. § 125.07(3)).
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house roles

Restricted in Wisconsin

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(Wis. Stat. §103.23)
Selling alcohol on premises licensed for sale (under 18)(Wis. Stat. §125.07(3))

Other ages in Wisconsin

Same age, other states

Read the full Wisconsin 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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