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

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in Maine can work up to 10 hr per day and 50 hr per week, time window 05:00 – 00:00.

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

No. Maine does not require a state-issued work permit for 17-year-olds. Employers must keep proof of age on file.

ME · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in Maine?

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in Maine with the following limits during the school year: 6 hr per school day, 24 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 22:15. Work permit not required.

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

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 17-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Not required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

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

During the school year

Hours per school day: 6 hr
Hours per non-school day: 10 hr
Hours per week: 24 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 22:15

School-week cap of 24 hours (6 hours on a school day, 10 on a non-school day). Up to 50 hours/week when school is closed for the full week.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 10 hr
Hours per week: 50 hr
Time window: 05:00 – 00:00

Summer cap of 50 hours per week. Up to midnight on nights not preceding a school day.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work (with ME Work Permit)
Distinctive Maine rule: 17-year-olds still need a Maine Work Permit issued by the school superintendent under 26 MRSA § 775. Maine caps 17-year-olds at 6 hrs per school day, 10 hrs non-school day, 24 hrs per school week, 50 hrs per non-school week — stricter than the federal floor (no cap at 17). Hours are 7 AM–10:15 PM school nights, 7 AM–midnight non-school nights.
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, beer/wine server
Distinctive Maine rule: 28-A MRSA § 1077 allows 17-year-olds to sell or serve liquor in licensed restaurants under direct supervision (one of the lowest server-age thresholds in the nation — most states require 18 or 19). Bartending in a licensed establishment still requires 18+.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
Maine allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Employment Services 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 Maine

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(26 MRSA §775)
Logging and sawmilling for minors under 18(26 MRSA §774)

Other ages in Maine

Same age, other states

Read the full Maine 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.

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