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

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in New York can work up to 8 hr per day and 48 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 00:00.

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

Yes. New York requires a work permit for 17-year-olds. Apply at your local school district office or guidance counselor. The student fills out the application; a physician must sign the physical-fitness portion. A parent or guardian must sign for minors under 18.

NY · age-by-state job guide

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

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in New York with the following limits during the school year: 4 hr per school day, 28 hr per week, time window 06:00 – 22:00. Work permit required.

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

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

During the school year

Hours per school day: 4 hr
Hours per non-school day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 28 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 22:00

Up to midnight on evenings preceding a non-school day with written parental + school consent.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 48 hr
Time window: 06:00 – 00:00

Up to midnight during school vacations.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work with AT-20 Working Papers
New York still requires Working Papers (AT-20) from your school district for every 17-year-old. The AT-20 covers all non-factory work; AT-21 covers factory work. NY caps 16-17-year-olds at 4 hrs per school day and 28 hrs per school week (48 hrs per week when school is not in session).
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
NY 17-year-olds may work in warehouses with manual carts and roller conveyors. Operating forklifts (HO-7) and on-road motor-vehicle driving (HO-2) stay 18+.
Hotel, hospitality, and theater front-of-house — server, host, usher, bell (no alcohol service)
NY Alcoholic Beverage Control Law § 100 bars on-premises alcohol service under 18. Full front-of-house tasks not involving alcohol are open.
Acting and performing arts under NY child-performer permit
NY Department of Labor Child Performer Permit covers theater, film, and TV work for 17-year-olds — separate from the school-issued AT-20 Working Papers.
Office, data-entry, and entry-level professional internship roles
Construction, demolition, and roofing stay banned for every minor under 18 under NY Labor Law § 130.

Restricted in New York

All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
Construction work for minors under 18(NY Labor Law §133)
Operating power-driven bakery machines(HO-11)
Door-to-door sales after dark for minors under 18(NY Labor Law §137)
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof(HO-16)

Other ages in New York

Same age, other states

Read the full New York 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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