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

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

Yes. Washington requires a work permit for 17-year-olds. Washington does not issue a state work permit to the minor. Instead, the employer must register as a minor-work employer with the WA Department of Labor & Industries and obtain a signed Parent/School Authorization form from the minor's parent or guardian (and school, if school is in session). The form must be kept on file at the worksite.

WA · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 17 year old do in Washington?

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

Yes — a 17-year-old can work in Washington with the following limits during the school year: 4 hr per school day, 20 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 22:00. Work permit required.

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

Washington 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: 20 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 22:00

School-week cap of 20 hours (rising to 28 with special variance). Maximum 6 days per week. Up to midnight on Friday and Saturday with parental consent.

Summer / school breaks

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

Up to midnight during the summer and school breaks. Maximum 6 days per week.

Common allowed jobs for a 17-year-old

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

Full retail, food-service, and clerical work (with WA Parent/School Authorization on file)
Washington still requires the employer to keep the F700-002 Parent/School Authorization on file at the worksite for every minor under 18, with the employer registered as a minor-work employer with WA L&I.
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
Washington's state-HO ban on logging, sawmilling, and timber processing stays in place for every minor under 18 — these tasks remain off-limits at 17 (state rule beyond the federal floor).
Hotel and hospitality front-of-house — host, busser, food runner (no alcohol service)
Washington RCW 66.44.316 / 66.44.270 set the minimum age to serve alcohol in restaurants at 18 (off-limits in bars and taverns until 21). 17-year-olds may host and bus but not serve alcohol.
Construction-trade pre-apprenticeship under registered apprenticeship programs
Washington allows 17-year-olds in registered apprenticeship programs through the WA State 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 Washington

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(WAC 296-125-033)
Logging, sawmilling, and timber processing for minors under 18(WAC 296-125-030)

Other ages in Washington

Same age, other states

Read the full Washington 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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