MI· State teen labor law
Michigan teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
Michigan caps combined school-plus-work hours at 48 per week for every minor under 18 and requires a job-specific work permit countersigned by the minor's school. A 30-minute rest break is mandatory after 5 continuous hours.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
Michigan tightens daily and weekly limits while school is in session, then eases them during summer and school breaks. Each age band below shows both calendars side-by-side — a distinction federal summaries and most state-comparison tables skip.
Ages 14–15
School year
When school is in session
- Hrs/day (school day)
- 4 hr
- Hrs/day (Sat / Sun / holiday)
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 24 hr
- Time window
- 07:00 – 21:00
Note: Combined school + work may not exceed 48 hours per week. Daily on-site shift cap is 10 hours total (school + work).
Summer / school breaks
When school is out
- Max hours per day
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 48 hr
- Time window
- 07:00 – 21:00
Note: When school is not in session for the full week, weekly cap rises to 48 hours.
Ages 16–17
School year
When school is in session
- Max hours per day
- 10 hr
- Max hours per week
- 48 hr
- Time window
- 06:00 – 22:30
Note: Combined school + work cap of 48 hours/week. Until 11:30 PM on nights not preceding a school day. Employers in resort/recreation may extend to 11:30 PM with parental consent during summer.
Summer / school breaks
When school is out
- Max hours per day
- 10 hr
- Max hours per week
- 48 hr
- Time window
- 06:00 – 23:30
Note: Up to 11:30 PM during school breaks. Maximum 6 days per week.
Work permit
Michigan requires a work permit for minors aged 14–17.
The employer issues a Promise of Employment; the minor's school administrator countersigns the combined application/work-permit form (CA-6 for minors 14-15, CA-7 for 16-17). A parent or guardian must sign. The permit is job-specific and must be reissued for each new employer.
Form: Combined Application/Permit/Parental Consent for Minor (Form CA-6 or CA-7)
Restricted occupations
All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17
Federal: 29 CFR Part 570
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines
Federal: HO-10
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof
Federal: HO-16
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16
State: MCL §409.116
Working without a 30-minute rest after 5 continuous hours
State: MCL §409.112
See the full federal hazardous orders (HO-1 to HO-17) for plain-English summaries and cross-state additions.
Where these rules come from
State code: Michigan Youth Employment Standards Act, MCL §§ 409.101-409.124
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wage-and-hour/employer/youth-employment-standards
Informational only — verify with the Michigan Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in Michigan?
- Yes — under Michigan law a 14-year-old can work up to 4 hours per school day, up to 24 hours per week, between 07:00 and 21:00. A Michigan work permit is required.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in Michigan?
- When school is in session, Michigan allows a 15-year-old to work up to 4 hours per school day, up to 24 hours per week, between 07:00 and 21:00. During summer or school breaks the cap rises to up to 8 hours per school day, up to 48 hours per week, between 07:00 and 21:00.
- Does Michigan require a work permit for minors?
- Yes — Michigan requires a work permit for minors aged 14-17 (form: Combined Application/Permit/Parental Consent for Minor (Form CA-6 or CA-7)). The employer issues a Promise of Employment; the minor's school administrator countersigns the combined application/work-permit form (CA-6 for minors 14-15, CA-7 for 16-17). A parent or guardian must sign. The permit is job-specific and must be reissued for each new employer.
- How many hours can a 16-year-old work during summer in Michigan?
- During summer or school breaks, Michigan allows a 16-year-old to work up to 10 hours per school day, up to 48 hours per week, between 06:00 and 23:30. Federal FLSA caps for 16- and 17-year-olds do not limit weekly hours, so the stricter state rule (if any) applies.
- What jobs can a minor not do in Michigan?
- Michigan prohibits minors from a number of hazardous occupations, including: all federal hazardous orders ho-1 through ho-17; operating power-driven meat-processing machines; roofing operations and work on or about a roof. The full list of federal hazardous orders (HO-1 through HO-17) also applies. See the Michigan Youth Employment Standards Act, MCL §§ 409.101-409.124 citation on this page for the statutory source.