Getting your first job is exciting. But if you’re under 18 in Minnesota, there are strict rules about when you can work and what jobs you can do. These laws exist to protect young workers from dangerous situations and make sure school stays the priority.
Let’s break down exactly what you need to know about working as a minor in Minnesota. Trust me, this stuff matters.
What Are Child Labor Laws?
Child labor laws set limits on when and how minors can work. They cover everything from work hours to what jobs are off-limits. Both Minnesota state law and federal law apply here. Whichever one is stricter wins.
The main goal is simple. Keep kids safe. Make sure education comes first. Prevent exploitation by employers who might take advantage of young workers.
Minimum Age to Work in Minnesota
You need to be at least 14 years old to work for most employers in Minnesota. Basically, once you hit 14, the job world opens up a bit. But there are some exceptions.
Kids as young as 11 can work as newspaper carriers. They can also be referees for youth sports programs if they’re at least 11 and have parental consent. For farm work, the minimum age is 12, but you’ll need permission from a parent or guardian.
Under 14? Your options are pretty limited to these specific jobs.
Work Permits and Paperwork
Here’s where things get bureaucratic, but stay with me.
Who Needs a Work Permit?
If you’re 14 or 15 years old, you need an employment certificate before you start working. This is also called a work permit. Basically, it’s proof from your school that you’re allowed to work.
Once you turn 16, you don’t need a work permit anymore. However, your employer still needs to keep proof of your age on file. This could be a birth certificate, driver’s license, or school-issued age certificate.
How to Get a Work Permit
Getting a work permit isn’t complicated. You get the application from your school, usually through a guidance counselor. The form needs signatures from you, your parent or guardian, and your employer. A school official also signs it to confirm working won’t mess up your education.
The whole process takes about five business days. Plan ahead so you don’t delay your start date.
Work Hours for Minors Under 16
Okay, this part is important. If you’re 14 or 15, your work hours are seriously limited.
During the School Year
When school’s in session, federal law is stricter than Minnesota law. You cannot work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. You’re limited to just three hours on school days. That’s it. And you can’t work more than 18 hours total in a school week.
You also cannot work during school hours unless you have a special certificate from your school district superintendent. Homeschooled students need this certificate too.
Summer and School Breaks
During summer vacation, the rules loosen up a bit. You can work up to eight hours per day. Weekly max is 40 hours. Your work hours are still limited to between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., though.
Newspaper carriers are exempt from these time restrictions. They can deliver papers early in the morning.
What About Agriculture?
Farm work has different rules. Kids working in agriculture can work more than eight hours per day and more than 40 hours per week. The time restrictions don’t apply the same way.
Work Hours for Minors Ages 16 and 17
Once you turn 16, things get way easier. There’s no limit on how many hours you can work each day or week. Pretty straightforward.
But there are still time restrictions if you’re in high school. You cannot work after 11 p.m. on nights before school days. You also can’t start work before 5 a.m. on school days.
Wondering if this applies to you? If you’re still in high school and under 18, these rules matter. With written permission from your parent or guardian, these hours can be extended to 11:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m.
High school graduates who are 17 don’t have any work hour restrictions. Graduation changes everything.
Minimum Wage for Minors
Good news here. Minnesota doesn’t have a separate minimum wage for minors based on age. Everyone gets paid the same minimum wage.
As of January 1, 2026, Minnesota’s minimum wage is $11.41 per hour for all employers. This applies whether you’re 15 or 50.
Training Wage Exception
There is one exception. Workers under age 20 can be paid a training wage of $9.31 per hour for their first 90 consecutive days of employment. After those 90 days, you get bumped up to the full minimum wage.
This training wage only applies for the first 90 calendar days from your hire date, not 90 days worked. Once you turn 20, you must be paid the full minimum wage immediately, even if it’s within those first 90 days.
City Minimum Wages
Hold on, it gets a bit more complicated. Minneapolis and St. Paul have their own minimum wage laws that are higher than the state minimum.
In Minneapolis, the minimum wage is $16.37 per hour for all employers as of January 1, 2026. In St. Paul, it’s $16.37 for large and macro businesses, $16.37 for small businesses as of July 1, 2026, and $14.25 for micro businesses as of July 2026.
If you work in these cities, you get the higher city wage. Makes sense, right?
Prohibited Jobs for Minors Under 16
Not sure what counts as a dangerous job? Minnesota law is very specific about what 14- and 15-year-olds cannot do.
You cannot operate or work with power-driven machinery. This includes lawn mowers, weed whips, hedge trimmers, drill presses, and grinders. No exceptions.
Manufacturing and processing jobs are off-limits. You can’t work in factories or plants, except for office work or waiting on customers in a separate area.
Driving vehicles that carry passengers like buses or trolleys is prohibited. You also can’t work in amusement places such as circuses, fairs, pool halls, or bowling alleys.
Working with hazardous chemicals, explosives, or flammable materials is a hard no. Same goes for construction work, roofing, or excavation.
Parent-Owned Business Exception
There’s one major exception to these rules. You can work for a business solely owned by your parent or parents, as long as they supervise you daily. This lets family businesses hire their own kids for tasks that would otherwise be prohibited.
Prohibited Jobs for Minors Under 18
Even if you’re 16 or 17, there are still jobs you cannot do. These restrictions apply to all minors under 18.
You cannot work in establishments that serve alcohol for on-premises consumption. No bartending or serving drinks at bars.
Working with power-driven machinery is still mostly off-limits. This includes meat slicers, bakery machines, paper products machines, and woodworking equipment.
You can’t work in hazardous environments with excessive heat, toxic chemicals, or explosive materials. Coal mining, logging, and demolition work are all prohibited.
Roofing work is banned. So is operating most power-driven hoisting equipment.
The same parent-owned business exception applies here. If your parent owns the business and supervises you daily, you can do tasks that would otherwise be restricted.
Break and Meal Periods
Honestly, this is pretty simple. Minnesota law requires employers to give all employees enough time to eat a meal if they work eight or more consecutive hours. This applies to minors too.
As of January 1, 2026, the law got more specific. Employers must allow at least a 15-minute rest break for every four consecutive hours worked. They must also allow at least a 30-minute meal break when working six or more consecutive hours.
Rest breaks under 20 minutes must be paid. Meal breaks lasting 30 minutes or more are usually unpaid.
Penalties for Employers Who Violate These Laws
Minnesota takes child labor violations seriously. The fines can add up fast.
Employing a minor without proof of age costs $250. Working a minor under 16 before 7 a.m., after 9 p.m., or for more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week brings a $500 fine.
Employing minors in hazardous work or during prohibited school hours carries a $1,000 fine. If a minor under 18 gets injured working in a hazardous job, the employer faces a $5,000 fine.
Federal penalties are even steeper. Violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act can result in fines of $14,050 per employee for each occurrence. If the violation was intentional, add another $10,000. If a minor is seriously injured or killed, fines jump to $63,855 per worker, doubled if the violation was intentional or part of a pattern.
Special Circumstances and Exemptions
Some jobs need special exemptions. Actors, models, and performers under 16 must get a special exemption permit from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Each permit is reviewed case by case.
The Director must find that the minor has special talent or unique qualifications. They also need to confirm that the work won’t harm the child’s health, education, or welfare.
Theater productions, film sets, and modeling jobs all require these permits for kids under 16. The permit is granted for specific dates of employment.
How to Report Violations
Think your employer is breaking these laws? You have options.
First, talk to your parents. They can help you figure out if something’s actually illegal. Then contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. You can file a complaint online or call them directly.
Federal violations can be reported to the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. They investigate child labor violations nationwide.
Keep records of your work hours, pay stubs, and any unsafe conditions. Documentation helps if you need to file a formal complaint.
Tips for Young Workers
Looking for your first job? Here’s some practical advice.
Know your rights before you start working. Read this article again if you need to. Understand the hours you’re allowed to work and what jobs are off-limits.
Keep your own record of hours worked. Write down when you start and end each shift. This helps if there’s ever a dispute about pay or hours.
Speak up if something feels unsafe. Your employer should never pressure you to do dangerous work. If they do, that’s a violation.
Focus on school first. Work should enhance your life, not replace your education. If your grades start slipping, it might be time to cut back on hours.
Save your paychecks. Even if you’re only making minimum wage, putting aside money now builds good habits for later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work during school hours if I’m 14 years old?
Only with an employment certificate from your school district superintendent. You’ll also need to meet federal requirements. Homeschooled students need this certificate too.
Do I need a work permit if I’m 16?
No. Work permits are only required for 14- and 15-year-olds. But your employer must keep proof of your age on file.
Can I work past 11 p.m. on a school night if I’m 17?
Only with written permission from your parent or guardian, which extends the time to 11:30 p.m. Without permission, you can’t work past 11 p.m. on school nights.
What happens if my employer makes me work illegal hours?
Report it to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Your employer can face fines ranging from $250 to $5,000 depending on the violation.
Does the training wage apply to all minors?
No. The training wage of $9.31 per hour only applies to workers under age 20 for their first 90 consecutive days of employment. After that, you get the full minimum wage.
Final Thoughts
Minnesota’s child labor laws protect young workers while giving them valuable job experience. The rules might seem complicated, but they’re designed with your safety and education in mind.
Know your rights. Keep accurate records. Speak up if something doesn’t seem right. Working as a teenager teaches important life skills, but only when it’s done safely and legally.
Stay informed, stay safe, and good luck with that first job.
