Child Labor Laws in Kentucky
Kentucky (KY) · Child labor laws · Last reviewed July 2026
Min working age
14 (most jobs)
Work permit
Often required
Hour limits
Strict under 16
Federal Rules (FLSA)
Federal law sets the floor: 14 is the minimum age for most non-farm jobs. 14- and 15-year-olds face strict limits — no work during school hours, capped daily and weekly totals, and no late evenings. 16- and 17-year-olds have no federal hour limits but can't perform jobs deemed hazardous. At 18, restrictions end.
Minors in Kentucky
Kentucky has its own child-labor rules, and where the state and federal rules differ, the stricter one applies. Many states require a work permit (employment certificate) for minors and set their own school-week hour caps. Confirm Kentucky's permit requirement and hour limits with the state labor office.
Staying Compliant
Keep proof of age and any required work permits on file, and schedule minors within their hour limits — especially the school-week caps. A time clock that flags a minor's hours helps prevent accidental violations.
Kentucky Labor-Law Snapshot
Kentucky employers pay a minimum wage of $7.25/hour (the federal floor), which applies to working minors too. On hours, Kentucky follows the federal weekly overtime rule with no daily-overtime premium of its own.
For Kentucky employers these rules interact with timekeeping: accurate, audit-logged hours drive overtime, final pay, and break records. Kentucky requires meal breaks on longer shifts and requires paid rest breaks; a final paycheck is due by the next payday or within 14 days, whichever is later when an employee resigns. Confirm current Kentucky figures with the state labor office before relying on any single number.
Official Sources
More Kentucky Guides
Child Labor Laws in Other States
Kentucky Child Labor Laws: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum working age in Kentucky?
Federal law sets 14 for most non-farm jobs, and Kentucky follows at least that floor. Some roles (family business, agriculture) allow younger workers under specific conditions.
Do minors need a work permit in Kentucky?
Many states require an employment certificate (work permit) for workers under 18 — confirm Kentucky's requirement and keep it on file.
How many hours can a minor work in Kentucky?
14–15-year-olds face strict federal caps (limited hours, not during school, no late nights). 16–17-year-olds have no federal hour limit, but Kentucky may add its own — the stricter rule applies.
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