How many hours can a 17 year old work in Alaska during summer?

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in Alaska can work up to No state limit per day and No state limit per week, time window No state limit.

Does a 17 year old need a work permit in Alaska?

Yes. Alaska requires a work permit for 17-year-olds. Every minor under 18 must obtain a Work Permit from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development before starting work. The minor's parent or guardian completes the application along with the employer's signed offer. Permits are job-specific and reissued for each new employer.

AK · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in Alaska?

Q: What jobs can a 17 year old do in Alaska?

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in Alaska with the following limits during the school year: No state limit per school day, No state limit per week, time window No state limit. Work permit required.

Quick answer for 17-year-olds in Alaska — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Alaska state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 17-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

Alaska 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

No state hour or time-of-day restriction on 16-17-year-olds. Federal FLSA hazardous-occupation rules still apply.

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 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work (with AK Work Permit)
Distinctive Alaska rule continues at 17: the AK Work Permit applies to ALL minors under 18, issued by AK DOL Wage and Hour Administration under AS § 23.10.350. Alaska has no state daily/weekly hour cap at 16-17 beyond the federal HO list, but the permit is still required and is reissued per employer.
Cooking, baking, and short-order line work with grills, fryers, and HO-11 bakery equipment
Lifeguard at any pool, water park, beach, or natural-water venue (with valid certification)
Warehouse and stockroom work without HO-7 power-driven hoists or HO-2 driving
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house — host, busser, food runner (NOT alcohol-licensed premises)
Distinctive Alaska rule continues at 17: AS § 04.16.049 prohibits anyone under 21 from being employed where alcohol is sold or served — well above the typical 18 floor. 17-year-olds may host, bus, and run food in restaurants not licensed for alcohol; bars, taverns, and liquor-licensed restaurants remain off-limits until 21.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
Alaska allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Apprenticeship Program. HO-16 roofing and HO-2 on-road driving remain barred for minors under 18.
Office, data-entry, internship, and customer-support roles

Restricted in Alaska

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)
Commercial fishing and crab-pot retrieval for minors under 16(AS §23.10.350)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 21(AS §04.16.049)

Other ages in Alaska

Same age, other states

Read the full Alaska rules

This page summarizes the rules for 17-year-olds. For all ages, age-band breakdown, statute citation, and DOL references, see the full state page.

Full Alaska teen labor law →Compare all 50 states →FAQ →