Child Labor Laws in Tennessee
Tennessee (TN) · 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 Tennessee
Tennessee 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 Tennessee'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.
Tennessee Labor-Law Snapshot
Tennessee employers pay a minimum wage of $7.25/hour (the federal floor), which applies to working minors too. On hours, Tennessee follows the federal weekly overtime rule with no daily-overtime premium of its own.
For Tennessee employers these rules interact with timekeeping: accurate, audit-logged hours drive overtime, final pay, and break records. Tennessee requires meal breaks on longer shifts and does not mandate paid rest breaks; a final paycheck is due by the next regular payday or within 21 days, whichever is later when an employee resigns. Confirm current Tennessee figures with the state labor office before relying on any single number.
Official Sources
More Tennessee Guides
Child Labor Laws in Other States
Tennessee Child Labor Laws: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum working age in Tennessee?
Federal law sets 14 for most non-farm jobs, and Tennessee follows at least that floor. Some roles (family business, agriculture) allow younger workers under specific conditions.
Do minors need a work permit in Tennessee?
Many states require an employment certificate (work permit) for workers under 18 — confirm Tennessee's requirement and keep it on file.
How many hours can a minor work in Tennessee?
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 Tennessee may add its own — the stricter rule applies.
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