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

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in Minnesota 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 Minnesota?

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

MN · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in Minnesota?

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in Minnesota with the following limits during the school year: No state limit per school day, No state limit per week, time window 05:00 – 23:00. Work permit not required.

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

Minnesota 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: 05:00 – 23:00

No state weekly hour cap. 16-17-year-olds may not work after 11:00 PM on a night preceding a school day, nor before 5:00 AM on a school day, without written parental consent (which may extend to 11:30 PM and 4:30 AM).

Summer / school breaks

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

Time-of-day restrictions lift on non-school nights; federal FLSA has no cap for this age group.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work — no state permit required
Minnesota does not issue a state work permit; on request, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry can issue an Age Certificate, but most employers simply keep proof of age on file. At 17 the only state time-of-day restriction is an 11 PM cutoff on nights preceding a school day (11:30 PM with written parental consent) and a 5 AM start (4:30 AM with consent).
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)
Cashier, sales associate, or stocker at any retail establishment (not working alone after 8 PM)
Minnesota's distinctive rule continues at 17: minors under 18 may not work alone in a retail store between 8 PM and 6 AM (Minn. Stat. § 181A.04). A scheduled co-worker present in the store satisfies the rule.
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house — host, busser, food runner (no alcohol service)
Minn. Stat. § 340A.412 subd. 3 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; tending bar and mixing drinks stay 21+.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
Minnesota allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. 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 Minnesota

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(Minn. Stat. §181A.04)
Working alone in a retail store between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM (under 18)(Minn. Stat. §181A.04)

Other ages in Minnesota

Same age, other states

Read the full Minnesota 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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