NE· State teen labor law
Nebraska teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
Nebraska allows 14-15-year-olds to work from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM (looser than the federal 7:00 AM-7:00 PM window) and caps the summer week at 48 hours. School-issued Employment Certificate is required for 14-15-year-olds.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
Nebraska 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
- 06:00 – 22:00
Note: Nebraska's time window for 14-15 is 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM (vs. federal 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM). Hour caps still mirror federal FLSA.
Summer / school breaks
When school is out
- Max hours per day
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 48 hr
- Time window
- 06:00 – 22:00
Note: Summer cap of 48 hours per week (8 more than federal). Same 6:00 AM-10:00 PM window.
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
- No state limit
Note: Nebraska imposes no state hour or time-of-day restriction on 16- and 17-year-olds.
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
Work permit
Nebraska requires a work permit for minors aged 14–15.
Minors 14-15 obtain an Employment Certificate from their school superintendent. The minor presents a Statement of Intent to Employ from the employer plus proof of age. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a state certificate.
Form: Nebraska Employment Certificate
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: Neb. Rev. Stat. §48-302
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 21
State: Neb. Rev. Stat. §53-180
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: Nebraska Revised Statutes §§ 48-301 to 48-313 (Employment of Children)
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://dol.nebraska.gov/LaborStandards/AboutUs/Laws
Informational only — verify with the Nebraska Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in Nebraska?
- Yes — under Nebraska law a 14-year-old can work up to 3 hours per school day, up to 18 hours per week, between 06:00 and 22:00. A Nebraska work permit is required.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in Nebraska?
- When school is in session, Nebraska allows a 15-year-old to work up to 3 hours per school day, up to 18 hours per week, between 06:00 and 22:00. During summer or school breaks the cap rises to up to 8 hours per school day, up to 48 hours per week, between 06:00 and 22:00.
- Does Nebraska require a work permit for minors?
- Yes — Nebraska requires a work permit for minors aged 14-15 (form: Nebraska Employment Certificate). Minors 14-15 obtain an Employment Certificate from their school superintendent. The minor presents a Statement of Intent to Employ from the employer plus proof of age. 16- and 17-year-olds do not need a state certificate.
- What jobs can a minor not do in Nebraska?
- Nebraska 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 Nebraska Revised Statutes §§ 48-301 to 48-313 (Employment of Children) citation on this page for the statutory source.