Legal Working Age

The legal working age in the United States is determined by state law, and so can differ depending on where you live. Minimum working age can be as low as fourteen in some states, and more commonly is at sixteen. Usually a lower legal working age is accompanied by certain limitations. For example, younger workers can only work so many hours per day or per week, preventing younger employees from pursuing full-time jobs that would take away from their time in school. In addition, some jobs that are considered dangerous are also limited to individuals eighteen and over.

Child Labor Laws

The majority of the laws limiting hours children can work before they reach the age of eighteen are largely derived from child labor laws. These laws were enacted several decades ago during major reform movements that changed the structure of the work day and overall work environment for everyone. With larger and larger factories taking advantage of workers by employing young children and expecting employees to work twelve and fourteen hours a day, workers began to protest. The resulting legislation put a number of limitations on work hours and ages of individual workers, reducing the exploitation practiced at these factories.

Getting a Job if You Are a Teen

Sometimes a teenager can acquire a job with special permission from his or her parents even if the child is technically younger than the legal working age. Of course, having a job is simplified greatly if you are at least old enough to drive--otherwise transport to your job could prove problematic.

Jobs in grocery stores or fast food restaurants are popular choices for teens, and many of these companies welcome younger employees. They can also provide a great introduction to the working world as well as experience to fill out a resume on your initial job searches after graduation. Having a job during high school also can show initiative in a college application. In these ways, taking the opportunity to work a formal job in your teens can provide a wealth of experience for the future.