How many hours can a 15 year old work?

Asked by: Dr. Virgil Rowe III  |  Last update: June 18, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (38 votes)

Under U.S. federal law (FLSA), 15-year-olds can work a maximum of 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours per school week. When school is not in session, they may work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Hours are restricted to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. from June 1-Labor Day).

What is the longest a 15 year old can work?

A 15-year-old can work a maximum of 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, and 8 hours on a non-school day, totaling 40 hours in a non-school week, with work generally restricted to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day), all outside school hours, according to U.S. federal law (Fair Labor Standards Act). State laws can add more restrictions, so checking local rules is crucial.
 

What's the longest shift a 15-year-old can work?

A 15-year-old can work a maximum of 8 hours on a non-school day, but only 3 hours on a school day, and cannot work during school hours; weekly limits are 40 hours when school is out, and 18 hours when school is in session, with work hours generally restricted to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. in summer). State laws can be stricter, but federal law (Fair Labor Standards Act) sets the baseline. 

What is the maximum hours a 15 year old can work in a day?

A 15-year-old can typically work up to 3 hours on a school day, 8 hours on a non-school day, for a total of 18 hours in a school week, and 40 hours in a non-school week, but only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. from June 1st to Labor Day), under U.S. Federal Law (FLSA) for non-hazardous jobs. State laws can have stricter rules, so it's essential to check your local regulations for specific restrictions, especially regarding weekend hours and specific job types. 

Can you work at 15 in Maine?

14 and 15 year olds may work in most businesses, except in occupations declared hazardous and jeopardize their health, well-being or educational opportunities. 16 and 17 year olds may work in most businesses, however not in hazardous jobs. These provisions also provide limited exemptions.

10 EASY Ways To Make Money As a Teenager [ In 2023 ]

30 related questions found

How long can you work a day at 15?

A 15-year-old can typically work up to 3 hours on a school day, 8 hours on a non-school day, for a total of 18 hours in a school week, and 40 hours in a non-school week, but only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. from June 1st to Labor Day), under U.S. Federal Law (FLSA) for non-hazardous jobs. State laws can have stricter rules, so it's essential to check your local regulations for specific restrictions, especially regarding weekend hours and specific job types. 

What is the best first job for a teen?

Good first jobs for teens build responsibility and skills, with popular options including retail cashier/stocker, fast-food crew member, babysitter, pet sitter/dog walker, lifeguard, camp counselor, movie theater usher, and library assistant, offering experience in customer service, teamwork, and time management without needing prior experience. Flexible options like tutoring, data entry, or even freelance online work are also great for balancing school.
 

Can I work 75 hours a week?

Your employer can't make you work more than 48 hours a week on average.

What are the highest paying jobs for teens?

The highest-paying jobs for teens often involve specialized skills or high demand, with top earners in areas like food service management, carpentry, and retail supervision, while freelance work (writing, video editing, graphic design), tutoring, and certain skilled trades or gig economy roles (like delivery) also offer great potential, sometimes exceeding standard minimum wage jobs, especially with tips or high demand. 

How many hours a week can a 15 year old work in OK?

Durin the scholl year, the 14 or 15 year old student-employee may work up to three (3) hours on school days, up to eight (8) hours on non-school days, and up to 18 hours in a school week and only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

At what age can I put my child on payroll?

Peggy's perspective: At what age can I put my child on the payroll? “Generally speaking, there's no minimum age for hiring your child to work for your business at the federal level as long as it's non-farm work, but it really depends on the type of work being performed.

Can a 15 year old work 50 hours a week?

California. Minors ages 14-15 who have completed 7th grade may work while school is in session but no more than 3 hours per day and only outside of school hours or 18 hours per week, and only from 7am-7pm.

Can you work 40 hours at 15?

California. Max number of daily hours, weekly hours, and days per week for: 14 and 15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school is not in session. When school is in session, 3 hours per day, 18 hours per week.

Is 100 hours a week legal?

For adult employees, there is no legal limit to the number of hours that one can work per week, but the Fair Labor Standards Act dictates standards for overtime pay in both the private and public sectors.

Is 72 hours 3 full days?

Therefore, 72 hours is equal to 3 days. This straightforward calculation helps clarify how long 72 hours is in terms of days. Besides, all of us know that there are 7 days per week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

How many 8 hour shifts is 500 hours?

If we consider a standard workweek—five days at eight hours each—that gives us 40 hours per week. Simple math tells us that dividing 500 by 40 leads to approximately 12.5 weeks of dedicated effort.

How to make $1000 at 14?

How to make $1000 fast as a 14-year-old? You could make $1,000 by combining online jobs like freelancing, taking surveys, or selling clothes online with local gigs like babysitting, yard work, or flipping items. Promoting your services through social media or flyers may help you find more opportunities quickly.

Is it possible to make $1000 online as a teenager?

How Much Money Can I Make Online as a Teen? There is no set amount of money you can make online as a teen. It all depends on your skills and how much time and effort you are willing to put into it. Some online jobs for teens pay more than others, but generally speaking, you can expect to make $1,000 per month.

What is the longest shift a 15-year-old can work?

A 15-year-old can work a maximum of 8 hours on a non-school day, but only 3 hours on a school day, and cannot work during school hours; weekly limits are 40 hours when school is out, and 18 hours when school is in session, with work hours generally restricted to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. in summer). State laws can be stricter, but federal law (Fair Labor Standards Act) sets the baseline. 

What's the longest a 15 year old can work?

A 15-year-old can work a maximum of 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, and 8 hours on a non-school day, totaling 40 hours in a non-school week, with work generally restricted to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day), all outside school hours, according to U.S. federal law (Fair Labor Standards Act). State laws can add more restrictions, so checking local rules is crucial.
 

How many days should a teen work?

The number of hours you should work in high school to strike a good balance depends on your situation and needs. It's recommended that high school students work at most 15─20 hours per week during the school year to prioritize their academic success and overall well-being.