What is the youngest age to work in child labor?

Asked by: Madeline Zemlak  |  Last update: February 18, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (32 votes)

In the U.S., the general minimum age for most non-agricultural work is 14 years old, under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), with significant restrictions on hours and types of jobs for 14 & 15-year-olds; while 16 & 17-year-olds can work unlimited hours, they're banned from hazardous roles, with state laws often adding stricter rules, like California's minimum of 12 for certain jobs and required work permits.

What is the youngest age for child labor?

Generally speaking, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the minimum age for employment (14 years for non-agricultural jobs), restricts the hours youth under the age of 16 may work, and prohibits youth under the age of 18 from being employed in hazardous occupations.

Is it okay for a 12 year old to work?

be no more than 10 hours a week (and one shift a day) in total and no more than: 3 hours a day for under 3 years of age. 4 hours a day for children between 4 and 12 years of age. 6 hours a day for young people between 12 and 14 years of age.

Can you work for your parents at 13?

Children ages 12 and 13 can only work on days when there is no school. The law allows them to work up to eight hours a day and no more than 40 hours a week.

Are 14 year olds legally allowed to work in the US?

Yes, a 14-year-old can legally work in the U.S. in non-hazardous jobs for limited hours outside of school, but federal and state laws (Fair Labor Standards Act) set restrictions on hours, types of work (no manufacturing, mining, or hazardous duties), and require adherence to specific state rules, often needing permits or certificates. 

Child Labor in the Industrial Revolution - Video Infographic

19 related questions found

Can I work at McDonald's if I'm 13?

No, you generally cannot work at McDonald's at 13; federal child labor laws set the minimum age for most restaurant work at 14, with some locations hiring 14-year-olds for limited, non-hazardous roles, but 13 is too young for most formal employment like McDonald's. You'd need to wait until you're 14, and even then, work permits and restrictions on hours/tasks apply, with many McDonald's jobs starting at 15 or 16. 

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.

Can I hire my 5 year old?

There's no age limit for employing your child, but it may be difficult to justify wages paid to a five-year-old. Treat your children the same as you would any other employee, and be sure you keep good records. Have your child punch a time clock or write his or her hours down on a timesheet.

What job would I get at 13?

For 13-year-olds, popular jobs involve neighborhood services like babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, and yard work (mowing, raking, shoveling) for neighbors and family friends, often gaining experience through adult connections. Other options include helping with housekeeping, tutoring, assisting family businesses, or even selling crafts/lemonade, though formal jobs often require being 14 and adhering to child labor laws, so checking local regulations is crucial. 

What jobs can I do from 13?

At 13, you can do neighborhood gigs like babysitting, pet sitting/dog walking, lawn care, and car washing, or explore small businesses like selling crafts or running a lemonade stand, though formal employment is limited by law. Check local laws and get parental consent, but offering services for neighbors (like tech help, errands, or chores) is a great way to start earning money and gaining experience, often through family businesses or youth programs like YMCA.
 

How to make $100 at 12?

Here are some great options for a 12-year-old kid:

  1. Babysitting. Babysitting is a classic activity for young teens. ...
  2. Pet sitting and dog walking. ...
  3. Gardening and lawn mowing. ...
  4. House cleaning. ...
  5. Lemonade stand. ...
  6. Tutoring. ...
  7. Online content creation. ...
  8. Earn some extra cash using Modak.

Do any jobs hire 12 year olds?

At 12, you can find jobs in your neighborhood like babysitting, dog walking, pet sitting, yard work (weeding, raking, washing cars), and tutoring younger kids, often through family, friends, or neighbors, while some local businesses (like gyms with kids' clubs) might hire for assistants with parental involvement, though formal employment for this age is limited by labor laws. Always check local laws and get parental permission before starting any work, as federal law generally requires children to be at least 14 for most formal jobs, with exceptions for certain roles like newspaper delivery or family businesses. 

What is the oldest age a woman can have a baby?

There's no strict biological limit, but natural pregnancy becomes highly unlikely by the mid-40s as egg quality and quantity decline; however, with IVF and donor eggs, women can conceive and give birth into their 50s, with records of successful pregnancies in the 60s, though fertility clinics often set age limits like 52-55 for treatment.
 

Can I work at 13?

Yes, a 13-year-old can work in the U.S., but typically in specific, limited, and often informal jobs like babysitting, pet care, newspaper delivery, or yard work, as federal law sets 14 as the general minimum age for most non-agricultural employment, with exceptions for parental businesses and certain light tasks. State laws also apply, and work permits might be needed, so it's crucial to check local regulations for jobs like caddying, coaching, or acting, which are often allowed. 

What is the youngest age for childbirth?

The youngest confirmed mother in history is Lina Medina, a Peruvian woman who gave birth at 5 years, 7 months, and 21 days old in 1939, due to a rare condition called precocious puberty which caused her to mature much earlier than normal, with doctors estimating she was around 4 when she became pregnant. 

What is the minimum age to work at McDonalds?

Crew Team Member - Adult (minimum 16 years old)

You must be 14 years of age or older to work as a Crew Member at McDonald's. This franchisee owns a license to use McDonald's logos and food products, for example, when running the restaurant.

How can I make $100 at 13?

Best Ways to Make $100 Fast as a Kid

  1. Earn money close to home by doing chores, yard work, babysitting, or pet-sitting.
  2. Get quick cash by selling old things in a garage sale, or selling crafts online.
  3. Find a part-time job in your community. ...
  4. Make money online by self-publishing or monetizing your social media.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Earning $2000 daily often involves high-skill freelancing (consulting, specialized writing), high-ticket sales, advanced digital marketing (SEO, funnel building), or specialized gig economy work (luxury pet care, event services), with some paths like content creation or e-commerce taking significant time to scale; quick cash might come from selling valuable items or intense gig work (Uber, TaskRabbit, Rover), while long-term potential lies in building assets like courses or membership sites. 

What is a 13 year old allowed to do?

At 13, you can legally get your own social media accounts, watch PG-13 movies, play T-rated video games, and start exploring light work like babysitting or yard work for neighbors, though federal law sets the general minimum age for formal employment at 14, with restrictions on hours and types of jobs. You can also learn new skills through online creation, tutoring, or selling crafts, and enjoy more independence like longer curfews (family dependent) and activities like escape rooms. 

Can I pay my 10 year old a wage?

The IRS has accepted a child as young as seven or eight to be eligible to start collecting wages, but the assigned tasks must be able to be reasonably completed by a child of that age. For example, the IRS probably will not accept wages paid for seeding corn at the age of seven.

Does Dollar Tree hire at 14?

No, Dollar Tree generally does not hire 14-year-olds; most sources indicate the minimum age is 16, and many locations require you to be 18 due to state labor laws and company policies, especially concerning equipment like box cutters and selling age-restricted items. While some older answers mention potential hiring at 16 with a work permit, more recent and consistent information points to 18 as the standard, with managers often preferring older teens or adults. 

Can I work if I'm 11?

As a general rule, the FLSA sets 14 years old as the minimum age for employment, and limits the number of hours worked by minors under the age of 16.

How can I make $500 as a kid?

To make $500 as a kid, focus on combining neighborhood services like dog walking, car washing, babysitting, and yard work with selling items like baked goods or crafts, and consider online gigs like tutoring or starting a YouTube channel, consistently offering services to neighbors and family for multiple small jobs or bigger projects to reach your goal. 

How can I make $100 in a day?

To make $100 a day, you can leverage online platforms for freelance work (writing, design, virtual assistance on Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer), gig economy apps (driving, delivery with Uber or DoorDash), sell products (e-commerce, Printify, Etsy, reselling used items), or offer local services (babysitting, pet care via Rover, handyman work). Success often comes from finding a profitable niche, building a strong portfolio, and consistent effort, with options ranging from quick gigs to building long-term online businesses. 

How to get paid at 14?

For 14-year-olds looking for their first job, these common first jobs are a great place to start.

  1. Babysitting👶 A classic choice, babysitting allows teens to earn money while learning responsibility. ...
  2. Lawn care and maintenance🌳 ...
  3. Food service🍔 ...
  4. Grocery store bagger🛍️ ...
  5. Lifeguard🛟 ...
  6. Paper route delivery🗞️ ...
  7. Pet sitting🐕 ...
  8. Tutoring✍️