When Can You Work in NYS?

There are laws about when and how long young people can work, depending on your age. In New York State it's against the law for your employer to make you work longer than the hours below, unless you are working on your family's farm (where hours can vary depending on season and weather). Other states' laws vary slightly but they tend to have the same general approach to wages and hours.

If you are 12 or 13

According to New York State law, if you're working on your family farm, you can work up to 5 hours a day between:

• 9 am - 4 pm (Day after Labor Day - June 20)
• 7 am - 7 pm (June 21 - Labor Day)

If you're a newspaper carrier, see the NYS Department of Labor for the hours you can work.

If you are 14 or 15

New York State law says you can work up to:

• 3 hours a day on a school day *
• 18 hours in a school week *
• 8 hours on a non-school day *
• 40 hours in a non-school week *

* unless enrolled in work-study or work-experience program

The law also restricts how early and how late you can work:

• Fall, winter, and spring - you can work only between 7 am and 7 pm
• Summer (June 1 to Labor Day) - you can work until 9 pm

If you are 16 or 17

According to New York State law, you can work:

• 4 hours a day (M, T, W, Th) *
• 8 hours a day (F, Sat, Sun) *
• 28 hours a week*

* unless enrolled in work-experience program