How many hours can a teenager work?

Under the federal Fair Labor and Standards Act, teenagers 15 years or younger may not work during school hours, while children over the age of 16 don't face any hourly restrictions. Many states regulate the employment of teenagers more strictly, reducing and limiting the number of hours of work allowed.

Individual states may regulate the number of hours a teenager can work based upon when school is in session. They may set different limits for school days and weekends or holidays. States may also further restrict the times during which teenagers can work by curfews. Certain industries, such as agriculture, may have looser regulations for teenage work hours in certain states.