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

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in New Mexico can work up to 8 hr per day and 48 hr per week, time window 05:00 – 00:00.

Does a 17 year old need a work permit in New Mexico?

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

NM · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in New Mexico?

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in New Mexico with the following limits during the school year: 8 hr per school day, 44 hr per week, time window 05:00 – 00:00. Work permit not required.

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

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

During the school year

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 44 hr
Time window: 05:00 – 00:00

Daily cap of 8 hours and weekly cap of 44 hours during the school year.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 05:00 – 00:00

Summer cap rises to 48 hours.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work — no state permit required at 16-17
New Mexico's NM DWS Employment Permit applies only to minors 14-15. At 17 the employer keeps age verification on file; no state daily/weekly cap or time-of-day restriction. NM DWS Labor Relations Division enforces remaining child-labor rules via complaint and inspection.
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 (no alcohol service)
Distinctive New Mexico rule continues at 17: NMSA § 60-7B-2 sets the minimum age to sell or serve alcoholic beverages at 19 — stricter than the typical 18 floor. 17-year-olds (and 18-year-olds) may host, bus, and run food but cannot serve any alcohol until 19.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
New Mexico allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the New Mexico Apprenticeship 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 New Mexico

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(NMSA §50-6-3)
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 19(NMSA §60-7B-1)

Other ages in New Mexico

Same age, other states

Read the full New Mexico 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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