Where can a 14-Year Old Work?

When a child turns 14 years old, he or she becomes eligible to work in many common jobs. However, there are a significant number of jobs that are strictly off-limits to 14-year-olds. These restrictions are set out in the child labor laws, officially known as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and its later amendments. The child labor laws were created to make sure that children in the workforce remain safe and retain the necessary time to pursue their education. Below is a brief introduction to the jobs available to 14-year-olds under federal work standards. Note that any state may introduce further restrictions on places of employment, though it is not commonly done. Contact your local labor department for information on local laws.

The child labor laws ensure that a 14-year-old does not work at any job that presents the clear risk of severe injury. Indeed, 14-year-olds are restricted from all dangerous working environments, whether or not their specific job is dangerous in and of itself.

Common allowable jobs taken by 14-year-olds include office work, clerical and customer service work in retail establishments, custodial and clean-up work, customer service and dish washing work in restaurants, and bicycle delivery work. Other jobs specifically allowed under the child labor laws include washing cars, cooking with gas and electric grills that do not feature open flames, grounds maintenance that does not include power driven maintenance equipment, and washing cars.

A 14-year-old may also work in any agricultural job that is not considered hazardous. Hazardous, and therefore restricted, agricultural jobs include operating tractors and most other farm equipment, working in a pen with potentially dangerous farm animals, working with toxic agricultural chemicals or fertilizers, and working on a ladder or scaffold above 20 feet in height. Additionally, a 14-year-old may not work in a silo, manure pit, or any other enclosed storage compartment.