How many hours can a 16 year old work?

Federal law sets no limit on hours or time of day for 16 and 17 year olds. States can, and the stricter rule applies. In Ohio, a 16 or 17 year old who is required to attend school may not work from 11 p.m. before a school day until 7 a.m. on a school day (6 a.m. if they did not work after 8 p.m. the night before).

Does a 16 year old need a work permit in Ohio?

Yes, during the school year. Ohio requires a minor work permit for ages 14 through 17 during the school year; during summer break it is required for ages 14 and 15. Your school district can tell you how to apply.

What jobs can't a 16 year old do?

Jobs the Department of Labor has declared hazardous stay off-limits until 18. Examples include driving on public roads for work (17 year olds only under strict limits), running forklifts, meat slicers, balers and compactors, roofing, and trenching or excavation.

What is the best job for a 16 year old?

One you can get to, that fits around school and teaches you something you can show the next employer: serving customers, handling money, leading younger kids, or a skill in a field you are curious about. A job close to a career you are considering is worth more than a slightly higher wage.

Can a 16 year old work full time?

Under federal law, yes: there is no hour limit at 16. State rules, school attendance laws and the employer's own policies can still limit it, so check your state's labor department before you agree to a schedule.

First jobs · age 16

Jobs for 16 year olds: more options, fewer limits.

At 16 the federal hour limits end, so real shifts and summer jobs open up. Here is what you can do, what is still off-limits, and Ohio's rules. Checked against the US Department of Labor on November 6, 2026.

The short version

What changes at 16

Under federal law, 16 and 17 year olds can work any number of hours, at any time of day, in any job the Department of Labor has not declared hazardous. The hazardous-job rules last until 18. Your state can add limits, and Ohio does for night work during the school year. Younger? See jobs for 14 and 15 year olds.

Jobs you can do

Common jobs for 16 year olds

Job	What to know
Restaurants: server, host, line cook, dishwasher	At 16 you can cook and work in the kitchen more freely than at 14 or 15, but meat slicers and some bakery machines stay off-limits until 18.
Grocery and retail: cashier, stocking, customer service	Full shifts and later hours are allowed under federal law. Balers and compactors are off-limits until 18.
Lifeguard	At 16 you can guard at lakes and beaches as well as pools, if you hold the certification the employer requires.
Camp counselor and recreation staff	A common summer job at 16. Many camps hire junior staff at this age.
Office, reception and data entry	Allowed, including at a parent's business.
Tutoring, coaching younger kids, music and art	Good options if you have a skill. You can also do these for yourself as a small business.
Car wash, cinema, theme park and event staff	Usually fine within the hazardous-job rules. Ask what equipment you would use.

Rather work for yourself? See how to make money as a teenager, from lawn care to tutoring.

Off-limits until 18

Jobs a 16 year old still cannot do

Driving on public roads as part of the job (at 17 only under strict limits)
Operating forklifts and other power-driven hoists
Meat slicers and other power-driven meat-processing machines
Paper balers and compactors
Roofing, and work in trenches or excavations

These come from the Department of Labor's Hazardous Occupations Orders; the full list is in Fact Sheet #43. If an employer asks you to do one of these, say no and tell a parent.

Ohio

Ohio's rules at 16

Work permit: needed during the school year for ages 14 through 17. In summer break it is only required for ages 14 and 15.
Night work: if you are required to attend school, no work from 11 p.m. before a school day until 7 a.m. on a school day (6 a.m. if you did not work after 8 p.m. the night before).

Read the Ohio Department of Commerce's guide for teens and its minor labor laws poster.

Getting hired

How to land a job at 16

1. Pick places you can actually get to
List ten within reach by bus, bike or a ride you can count on, and ask each one directly whether they hire 16 year olds.
2. Write a one-page resume
School, sports, clubs, volunteering, babysitting and any skills. If you have had a job at 14 or 15, lead with it.
3. Sort your work permit first
In Ohio you need it before your first shift during the school year. Ask your school office.
4. Show you are reliable
Employers hiring at 16 mostly want someone who shows up on time and is polite. Say so with an example.
5. Follow up
A short call or visit a few days after you apply.

Thinking about what comes after high school too? The free Future Finder career quiz takes ten minutes, and Ohio careers for teens shows real pay and training routes.

Questions

Straight answers

How many hours can a 16 year old work?: Federal law sets no limit on hours or time of day for 16 and 17 year olds. States can, and the stricter rule applies. In Ohio, a 16 or 17 year old who is required to attend school may not work from 11 p.m. before a school day until 7 a.m. on a school day (6 a.m. if they did not work after 8 p.m. the night before).
Does a 16 year old need a work permit in Ohio?: Yes, during the school year. Ohio requires a minor work permit for ages 14 through 17 during the school year; during summer break it is required for ages 14 and 15. Your school district can tell you how to apply.
What jobs can't a 16 year old do?: Jobs the Department of Labor has declared hazardous stay off-limits until 18. Examples include driving on public roads for work (17 year olds only under strict limits), running forklifts, meat slicers, balers and compactors, roofing, and trenching or excavation.
What is the best job for a 16 year old?: One you can get to, that fits around school and teaches you something you can show the next employer: serving customers, handling money, leading younger kids, or a skill in a field you are curious about. A job close to a career you are considering is worth more than a slightly higher wage.
Can a 16 year old work full time?: Under federal law, yes: there is no hour limit at 16. State rules, school attendance laws and the employer's own policies can still limit it, so check your state's labor department before you agree to a schedule.

Sources

Checked on November 6, 2026

General information for teens and parents, not legal advice. Federal rules come from the US Department of Labor; Ohio rules from the Ohio Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor's state tables. Rules change and states differ, so check your state's labor department before you start.