UT· State teen labor law
Utah teen labor law — work hours, permits, and restricted jobs
Utah allows 14-15-year-olds to start as early as 5:00 AM (vs. federal 7:00 AM) and work up to 4 hours on a school day, but caps the school week at 20 hours. 16-17-year-olds face no state restrictions. No state work permit is required.
Quick facts
School year vs summer hour caps
Utah 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
- 20 hr
- Time window
- 05:00 – 21:30
Note: Utah allows up to 4 hours on a school day (vs. federal 3) and a 5:00 AM start. School-week cap of 20 hours.
Summer / school breaks
When school is out
- Max hours per day
- 8 hr
- Max hours per week
- 40 hr
- Time window
- 05:00 – 21:30
Note: Time-of-day window applies year-round. Summer cap matches federal 40-hour limit.
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: Utah imposes no state hour or time-of-day restriction on 16- and 17-year-olds; federal FLSA also has no hour cap for this age group in non-hazardous work.
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
Utah does not require a state-issued work permit for minors.
Utah does not require a state-issued work permit. Employers must keep proof of age on file (driver's license, certified birth certificate, or state ID). The Utah Labor Commission enforces child-labor rules through complaint and inspection.
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: Utah Admin. Code R610-3
Sale or service of alcohol for minors under 21
State: Utah Code §32B-1-407
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: Utah Code §§ 34-23-101 to 34-23-302 (Employment of Minors Act)
US DOL Wage & Hour Division: https://laborcommission.utah.gov/divisions/antidiscrimination-and-labor/wages/youth-employment/
Informational only — verify with the Utah Department of Labor before hiring or starting work.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a 14-year-old work in Utah?
- Yes — under Utah law a 14-year-old can work up to 4 hours per school day, up to 20 hours per week, between 05:00 and 21:30.
- How many hours can a 15-year-old work during school in Utah?
- When school is in session, Utah allows a 15-year-old to work up to 4 hours per school day, up to 20 hours per week, between 05:00 and 21:30. During summer or school breaks the cap rises to up to 8 hours per school day, up to 40 hours per week, between 05:00 and 21:30.
- Does Utah require a work permit for minors?
- Utah 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 Utah?
- Utah 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 Utah Code §§ 34-23-101 to 34-23-302 (Employment of Minors Act) citation on this page for the statutory source.