Child Labor Laws in Minnesota
Minnesota (MN) · 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 Minnesota
Minnesota 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 Minnesota'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.
Minnesota Labor-Law Snapshot
Minnesota employers pay a minimum wage of $11.41/hour (about $4.16 above the federal $7.25), which applies to working minors too (higher in Minneapolis and St. Paul). On hours, Minnesota sets a state weekly overtime threshold of 48 hours for some employers.
For Minnesota employers these rules interact with timekeeping: accurate, audit-logged hours drive overtime, sick-leave accrual, final pay, and break records. Minnesota requires meal breaks on longer shifts and requires paid rest breaks; a final paycheck is due by the next regular payday when an employee resigns. Confirm current Minnesota figures with the state labor office before relying on any single number.
Official Sources
More Minnesota Guides
Child Labor Laws in Other States
Minnesota Child Labor Laws: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum working age in Minnesota?
Federal law sets 14 for most non-farm jobs, and Minnesota follows at least that floor. Some roles (family business, agriculture) allow younger workers under specific conditions.
Do minors need a work permit in Minnesota?
Many states require an employment certificate (work permit) for workers under 18 — confirm Minnesota's requirement and keep it on file.
How many hours can a minor work in Minnesota?
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 Minnesota may add its own — the stricter rule applies.
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