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

During summer or school breaks, a 17-year-old in Oregon can work up to 10 hr per day and 44 hr per week, time window No state limit.

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

Yes. Oregon requires a work permit for 17-year-olds. Oregon uses an employer-based permit: the employer applies online with BOLI for an annual Employment Certificate covering all minor employees at that worksite. The certificate must be renewed yearly. Individual minors do not apply, but the employer must keep age verification on file for each.

OR · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in Oregon?

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in Oregon with the following limits during the school year: 10 hr per school day, 44 hr per week, time window No state limit. Work permit required.

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

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

During the school year

Hours per day: 10 hr
Hours per week: 44 hr
Time window: No state limit

Daily cap of 10 hours, weekly cap of 44 hours including overtime. Time-and-a-half required for hours over 40/week or 10/day.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 10 hr
Hours per week: 44 hr
Time window: No state limit

Same 10/44 caps year-round. No state time-of-day restriction.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work (employer holds BOLI Annual Employment Certificate)
Oregon's employer-based system continues at 17: the employer applies online with BOLI for an Annual Employment Certificate covering all minor employees, renewed yearly. The state 10/44 hour cap continues, and time-and-a-half overtime is owed past 40 hrs/week or 10 hrs/day.
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
Distinctive Oregon rule continues at 17: working alone in a retail establishment stays off-limits to minors under 18 under OAR 839-021-0210 — a 17-year-old must work a retail shift with at least one other employee on premises.
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house — host, busser, food runner (no alcohol service)
Oregon ORS 471.482 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; bartending stays 21+.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
Oregon allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the Oregon BOLI Apprenticeship and Training Division. 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 Oregon

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(ORS 653.345)
Working alone in a retail establishment for minors under 18(OAR 839-021-0210)

Other ages in Oregon

Same age, other states

Read the full Oregon 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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