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

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in Maryland can work up to 12 hr per day and No state limit per week, time window No state limit.

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

Yes. Maryland requires a work permit for 17-year-olds. The minor applies online at the Maryland Department of Labor portal with proof of age, an employer offer, and a parent or guardian's electronic signature. The permit is job-specific and emailed to the minor and employer. A new permit is required for each job.

MD · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in Maryland?

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in Maryland with the following limits during the school year: 12 hr per school day, No state limit per week, time window No state limit. Work permit required.

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

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

During the school year

Hours per day: 12 hr
Hours per week: No state limit
Time window: No state limit

Combined hours of work and school may not exceed 12 in any 24-hour period. Minors must have at least 8 consecutive non-work hours each day.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 12 hr
Hours per week: No state limit
Time window: No state limit

Same 12-hours-in-24 and 8-hours-rest rules apply year-round.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work (with MD Online Work Permit)
Maryland still requires a job-specific online work permit through the Maryland Department of Labor portal for every minor under 18 — including in parent-owned non-agricultural businesses. The permit is reissued per new employer at age 17.
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
Maryland's distinctive sleep guarantee continues at 17: no more than 12 combined school+work hours in any 24-hour period, and 8 consecutive hours of rest required.
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house — host, busser, food runner (no alcohol service)
Maryland Alcoholic Beverages Article § 6-321 sets the minimum age to sell or serve alcoholic beverages at 18. 17-year-olds may host, bus, and run food but cannot serve or pour alcohol until 18.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
Maryland allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council. 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 Maryland

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 18 without bonded supervisor(MD Code, Labor and Employment §3-211)
Selling alcoholic beverages or working in a bar (under 18)(MD Code, Alcoholic Beverages §6-307)

Other ages in Maryland

Same age, other states

Read the full Maryland 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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