Minimum Age to Work in PA
Pennsylvania (PA) Quick Reference Table
| Age | Summary of Requirements |
|---|---|
| 14-15 | Minors must have an employment certificate and observe work hour restrictions. May reach a total of 4 hours on school days, 8 hours on any other day, and 18 hours per school week. |
| 16-17 | May use a general or transferable work permit. Can work a maximum of 28 hours per school week. |
| 18-20 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| 21 | Able to serve alcohol for consumption. No restrictions. |
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work in Pennsylvania?
In order to protect the health and safety of working minors, Pennsylvania child labor laws encompass a series of rules and regulations such as the minimum age requirements, work permit guidelines, and the jobs and hours all minors are able to work. Unlike the national government, which administers federal labor laws that tend to focus on minors through 15 years of age, the Keystone State monitors and regulates the employment of all workers between the ages of 14 and 17.
In most cases, the legal working age in Pennsylvania starts at 14. Although individual employers often maintain stricter requirements regarding the minimum age to work, state labor laws begin applying to minors at 14 years old. Under the Pennsylvania law, every underage employee must hold a workers permit and adhere to regulations limiting the number of hours they may work. The Child Labor Act also prohibits underage job seekers from pursuing employment in a variety of traditionally hazardous fields. Upon turning 16, minors may start working longer hours and applying for jobs that remain inaccessible to younger individuals.
Jobs Available to Pennsylvania Minors
Despite affecting all working minors between 14 and 17 years old, Pennsylvania child labor laws make a general distinction between younger teens and older ones. While any minor of legal working age may gain employment in appropriate roles at places like hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, and sporting events, the Child Labor Act restricts access to certain occupations until the underage job seeker turns 16. According to state labor laws, acceptable jobs for 16 year olds include positions like amusement park attendant, cook, and lifeguard. Other suitable jobs for teenagers in Pennsylvania include nonhazardous work at bowling alleys, golf courses, retirement homes, ski resorts, and similar types of establishments, as long as the sale and consumption of any alcohol takes place in designated areas for staff members who are 21 and over.
Exceptions to Pennsylvania Child Labor Laws
Although the Child Labor Act of Pennsylvania mainly applies to minors over the age of 14, the law makes certain exceptions for younger individuals. State labor laws allow minors as young as 11 to work as newspaper carriers, while 12 year olds can work caddying positions at golf courses. Underage caddies, however, may only carry one golf bag at a time and work for up to 18 holes of golf per day. In addition to caddying and newspaper delivery positions, occupations involving farming or domestic service make suitable jobs for kids in Pennsylvania.
Prohibited Occupations
While minors in the Keystone State enjoy access to a variety of jobs, workers younger than 18 also remain unable to work in certain occupations and industries. Pennsylvania child labor laws prohibit any minor from working as a brickmaker, crane operator, demolition worker, driver, electrical worker, elevator operator, excavator, forest firefighter, meat processor, mill worker, paint or poison manufacturer, roofer, welder, or woodworker. The state also prevents all underage employees from working on boats, machinery, railroads, and rivets. Minors lack the legal authorization to work in metal industries, mines and quarries, the printing and paper industry, tanneries, and the vicinity of radioactive substances, as well.
Restrictions on Work Hours
In addition to identifying acceptable jobs for minors, the Pennsylvania Child Labor Act outlines the number of hours and time of day that underage employees may work. Fourteen and fifteen year olds may work up to three hours on school days and eight hours on non-school days, as long as the work takes place between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. During school vacations, jobs for 14 year olds and jobs for 15 year olds may last until 9:00 PM and amount to a maximum total of 40 hours per week. For minors between the ages of 16 and 17, work times range from 6:00 AM to midnight every day of the year. Sixteen and seventeen year olds may work as many as 8 hours a day and 28 hours per week during the academic term, while school vacations extend the maximum hours of employment to 10 per day and 48 a week. Regardless of age, no minor may work more than six consecutive days.
How to Get a Work Permit
Prior to starting a job for the first time, Pennsylvania minors must obtain a work permit which. Students looking for work at the end of the school year can follow the instructions below to learn how to get a work permit in the summer.
Do you need a work permit during summer?
Unless they have graduated high school, all job seeking Pennsylvania minors must have a work permit
Where can I get a work permit besides school?
The Pennsylvania Department of Education website has employment certificate applications available for printing.
How do I get a work permit during summer?
- Teens must print out the application form and fill them out with their personal information.
- The minor’s parent or legal guardian must also complete and sign the certificate.
- Underage job seekers must appear in-person to the office of their local school district officials to submit their documents and prove their age via birth certificate or state ID.
- After the issuing officer approves their application and presents them with a work permit, minors must provide their new employer with a copy of the document to keep for their records.
source: Pennsylvania child labor laws
