MN· State teen labor law
Minnesota teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
Minnesota allows 14-15-year-olds to work until 9:00 PM (later than the federal 7:00 PM cap) and imposes no weekly hour limit on 16-17-year-olds. No state work permit is required. Minors under 18 may not work alone in a retail store between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
Minnesota applies similar caps year-round, with small calendar adjustments shown below. 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)
- 3 hr
- Hrs/day (Sat / Sun / holiday)
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 18 hr
- Time window
- 07:00 – 21:00
Note: No work during school hours. Minnesota allows a 9:00 PM cutoff (federal cap is 7:00 PM).
Summer / school breaks
When school is out
- Max hours per day
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 40 hr
- Time window
- 07:00 – 21:00
Note: Hours apply when school is not in session.
Ages 16–17
School year
When school is in session
- Max hours per day
- No state limit
- Max hours per week
- No state limit
- Time window
- 05:00 – 23:00
Note: No state weekly hour cap. 16-17-year-olds may not work after 11:00 PM on a night preceding a school day, nor before 5:00 AM on a school day, without written parental consent (which may extend to 11:30 PM and 4:30 AM).
Summer / school breaks
When school is out
- Max hours per day
- No state limit
- Max hours per week
- No state limit
- Time window
- No state limit
Note: Time-of-day restrictions lift on non-school nights; federal FLSA has no cap for this age group.
Work permit
Minnesota does not require a state-issued work permit for minors.
Minnesota does not require a state-issued work permit. Employers must keep proof of age on file. Minors under 16 working on school days must also provide an Age Certificate from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry on request — employers can request one online if they suspect a worker's age.
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 without adult supervision
State: Minn. Stat. §181A.04
Working alone in a retail store between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM (under 18)
State: Minn. Stat. §181A.04
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: Minnesota Statutes Chapter 181A (Employment of Minors)
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/employment-practices/minnesota-child-labor-standards
Informational only — verify with the Minnesota Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in Minnesota?
- Yes — under Minnesota law a 14-year-old can work up to 3 hours per school day, up to 18 hours per week, between 07:00 and 21:00.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in Minnesota?
- When school is in session, Minnesota allows a 15-year-old to work up to 3 hours per school day, up to 18 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 40 hours per week, between 07:00 and 21:00.
- Does Minnesota require a work permit for minors?
- Minnesota does not require a state-issued work permit for minors. Employers still must follow federal FLSA rules on hour caps and restricted occupations.
- What jobs can a minor not do in Minnesota?
- Minnesota 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 Minnesota Statutes Chapter 181A (Employment of Minors) citation on this page for the statutory source.