If you’re a teen looking for your first job in Washington, or a parent helping your kid get hired, you’re in the right place. Washington has some of the strictest youth labor laws in the country. And they just got even stricter.
Knowing these rules protects you. It also helps you catch employers who aren’t following them.
What Are Minor Labor Laws?
Minor labor laws are rules that control how, when, and where people under 18 can work. They cover things like how many hours you can work, what jobs you’re allowed to do, and how much you must be paid.
Washington’s laws are enforced by the Department of Labor and Industries, also called L&I. These rules apply to almost every employer in the state. Pretty much everyone hiring a teen has to follow them.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work in Washington?
Okay, this one surprises a lot of people.
Most kids can start working at age 14 in Washington. Kids under 14 generally cannot work unless a county court gives special permission. That’s not easy to get, so most jobs for kids under 14 just don’t happen legally.
There are a few small exceptions. Twelve and 13-year-olds can do hand-harvesting on farms during non-school weeks. That includes berries, bulbs, cucumbers, and spinach. That’s basically it for kids under 14.
Work Permits: You Need One Before You Start
Wondering if this applies to you? It does. Every minor under 18 needs a work permit before starting a job in Washington.
The employer must have a Minor Work Permit endorsement on their business license. They also need a Parent or School Authorization Form signed before you start working. This form must be renewed every year, usually before September 30th when the school year begins.
You can’t skip this step. No permit on file means the employer is already breaking the law.
How Many Hours Can Minors Work?
This is where things get detailed. Stay with me here.
The number of hours you can work depends on your age and whether school is in session.
Ages 14 and 15
During school weeks, 14 and 15-year-olds can work up to 3 hours on school days. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, they can work up to 8 hours. The total cannot go above 16 hours per week during a school week.
During non-school weeks, the limit goes up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. You can work up to 6 days a week.
Ages 16 and 17
Sixteen and 17-year-olds get a bit more flexibility. During school weeks, they can work up to 4 hours on school days and 8 hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Total weekly hours cap at 20 during a school week.
During non-school weeks, the limit is 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week.
Minors in this age group can also work overtime. That means if you work more than 40 hours in one week, you’re owed time-and-a-half pay for those extra hours. That’s a big deal.
The New 2026 Rule for CTE Students
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Starting July 1, 2026, teens ages 16 and 17 who are enrolled in an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) program or college program can work non-school week hours year-round. Basically, if your school has you in a job training program, your employer can schedule you like it’s summer break, even during the school year.
This is a brand-new rule under House Bill 1121. The employer still needs to be approved for the program.
What Time of Day Can Minors Work?
It’s not just about total hours. Washington also controls what time of day you can work.
For ages 14 and 15, you cannot work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. During summer break, the evening limit extends to 9 p.m.
For ages 16 and 17, you cannot work past 10 p.m. on nights before a school day. On Friday and Saturday nights, or when school isn’t in session, you can work until midnight.
One more thing. After 8 p.m., any minor working in a restaurant or retail store must be supervised by an adult on-site. So simple, but so important for safety.
What Jobs Are Off-Limits for Minors?
Most people don’t realize how strict these restrictions are.
All minors under 18 are banned from a long list of dangerous jobs. That includes operating forklifts, earthmovers, or backhoes. It also includes roofing work, demolition, mining, meat processing and packing, operating power-driven woodworking machines, and handling explosives or blasting agents.
Teens 16 and under also cannot drive on public roads for work purposes.
Minors cannot work in jobs that require them to wear hearing or respiratory protection. That’s a sign the environment is too dangerous. Any job that exposes a minor to highly toxic, carcinogenic, or corrosive chemicals is also off the table.
Some specific places are also off-limits. Minors cannot work in sauna or massage parlors, tattoo studios, or adult entertainment businesses. They generally can’t serve as maids or bellhops in hotels unless specific safety rules are followed.
Not sure what counts as a violation? When in doubt, ask L&I directly. Their contact info is at the bottom of this article.
How Much Do Minors Get Paid in Washington?
Good news here. Washington pays teens pretty well compared to other states.
The state minimum wage in 2026 is $17.13 per hour. Most 16 and 17-year-olds earn at least that amount.
Minors ages 14 and 15 can be paid as low as 85% of the state minimum wage. That works out to about $14.56 per hour in 2026. Some cities have higher local minimums, so teens in Seattle, Tukwila, or Bellingham may actually earn more.
Washington does not allow a tip credit. That means employers cannot pay you less than minimum wage just because you receive tips. The tips are yours on top of your wage. That’s honestly one of the better rules in the state.
Breaks and Meal Periods
Okay, this one is important. Employers often get this wrong.
For ages 14 and 15, a paid 10-minute rest break is required for every 2 hours worked. If you work more than 4 consecutive hours, you must get a 30-minute meal break before hitting that limit.
For ages 16 and 17, rest breaks happen at least every 3 hours. You must receive a 30-minute meal break that falls no sooner than 2 hours and no later than 5 hours into your shift.
Minors cannot legally waive these breaks. Even if your boss asks you to skip a break, the law says no. You’re entitled to them, period.
Big Changes in 2026: Stronger Penalties
Hold on, this part is important.
Washington passed House Bill 1644 in April 2025. It took effect July 1, 2026. This law changed the penalty structure in a major way.
Before this law, fines for child labor violations were pretty low. Bad employers didn’t have much reason to change. Now, penalties look like this:
Missing a work permit, parent authorization form, or records? That’s up to $100 per violation. Violating work hour rules? Up to $150 per violation. Breaking meal and rest break rules? Up to $300 per violation. Putting a minor in a prohibited job or violating wage rules? Up to $1,000 per violation. Repeat violations of serious rules? A minimum of $2,000 per violation, with no upper limit capped by law.
And here’s the big one. If an employer’s violation causes the serious injury or death of a minor, L&I must revoke that employer’s minor work permit for at least 12 months. They literally cannot hire any teen workers during that time.
If the violation causes permanent disability or death, the employer can face a class C felony. That’s up to 5 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
Think of it like this: the old rules were a slap on the wrist. The new ones have real teeth.
Special Situations: Emancipated Minors
Washington’s hour restrictions don’t apply to everyone under 18.
Teens who are married, are parents themselves, or have been legally emancipated by a court don’t have the same hour limits. They can be scheduled like adult workers. However, employers still need a work permit on file, and these teens still cannot work in prohibited occupations. The danger restrictions still apply no matter what.
How to Report a Violation
You’re not alone if your employer isn’t following these rules. Many teens don’t know their rights, and some employers take advantage of that.
If you think your employer is violating child labor laws, you can file a complaint with L&I. You can do it online, by phone, or in person. L&I will investigate. You don’t have to put your name on the complaint if you don’t feel safe doing so.
Trust me, reporting matters. It’s how bad employers get caught.
Also, Washington law protects you from retaliation. That means your employer cannot legally fire you, cut your hours, or punish you for filing a complaint or talking about your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 14-year-old get a job in Washington?
Yes. Most non-hazardous jobs are open to 14 and 15-year-olds with a work permit and parent authorization. The hours and types of work are very limited.
Does my employer need my parent’s signature before I start working?
Yes. Your employer must have a signed Parent or School Authorization Form on file before you work a single hour. No exceptions.
Can I work more than 20 hours a week as a 16-year-old during the school year?
Generally no. The limit is 20 hours per week during school weeks for 16 and 17-year-olds, unless you’re enrolled in an approved CTE or college program under the new 2026 rule.
Can my boss make me skip my rest break?
No. Breaks are a legal right in Washington. Minors cannot waive them, and employers cannot ask you to skip them.
What happens if my employer breaks these rules?
As of July 1, 2026, fines start at $100 for minor paperwork issues and go up to $1,000 or more per serious violation. Repeat offenders face higher penalties and can lose the right to hire minors at all.
Am I entitled to overtime pay as a teen worker?
Only if you’re 16 or 17. Teens in that age group earn 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for any hours worked over 40 in a week.
Can I be paid less than minimum wage as a teen?
Only if you’re 14 or 15. In that case, your employer can pay as low as 85% of the state minimum wage, which comes to about $14.56 per hour in 2026. Teens 16 and older must receive the full minimum wage.
Final Thoughts
Washington takes teen worker protections seriously. And with the new 2026 laws in effect, employers are being held to a higher standard than ever before.
If you’re a teen starting your first job, you now know your rights. If you’re a parent, share this with your kid. And if you’re an employer, the rules are clear and the consequences are real.
Now you know the basics. Stay informed, ask questions, and if something feels wrong at work, say something.
