What is the minimum legal age for employment?

For particularly hazardous jobs in the agricultural industry, the minimum age is 16; for particularly hazardous jobs in all other sectors, the minimum age is 18.

For non-hazardous jobs, the FLSA mandates that all full time and part time employees be at least 16 years old, unless they are working in the agricultural industry, in which case the minimum age is 14. Few exceptions to this rule exist, but they include:

• Children workers whose parents live on or own a small farm
• Paper delivery personnel
• Child actors and performers
• Children involved in the making of evergreen wreaths from home

If you believe your child’s labor has been exploited by an employer, contact the overtime lawyers of Tycko & Zavareei LLP by calling 202-973-0900 to schedule a free case initial consultation.