Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Child Labor Laws

The Department of Labor & Industry’s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance enforces Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act. It sets the rules for hiring anyone under the age of 18 years. The law requires minors aged 14 to 17 to have a work permit, prohibits them from working in hazardous occupations, and enforces strict limits on their working hours. Employers must follow both federal and state rules, and always adhere to the stricter standards when the two differ to protect the rights of minors.

Let’s take a deeper look at Pennsylvania’s child labor laws.

How the State Regulates Child Labor

The state of Pennsylvania regulates the employment of minors via a strict system of work permits, age-specific work hour limits, and a detailed list of restricted job duties.

Work Permits: As mentioned above, all minors aged 14 to 17 must obtain a work permit from their local school district before starting a job.
Hour Limitations: The state law has set different working time limits for different ages, and on a daily and weekly basis, to ensure minors are not exploited and overburdened.
Prohibited Occupations: Both the state and federal governments have categorized certain occupations as too dangerous for minors. No minor must be allowed to work in such occupations unless there is an exception.

Relation to Federal Law

Pennsylvania’s child labor laws typically mirror or are stricter than the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). For example, in Pennsylvania, minors aged 16 and 17 must have a work permit. However, the same is not mandated by the federal government.

Additionally, when the state and federal rules differ, the stricter law (or the one that provides maximum protection to the minors) must be followed by all employers. For instance, Pennsylvania has a specific weekly hour cap for 16- and 17-year-olds during the school year, which is restrictive than the federal guidelines.

Minimum Working Age in Pennsylvania

The minimum working age in Pennsylvania is 14. However, some exceptions exist for those under the age of 14. These include those who,

Deliver newspapers
Work as a caddy at a golf course
Perform household chores or do yard work in a private home
Work on a family farm
Work as an actor or performer in the entertainment industry (although they require a special permit).

Work Permits for Minors in Pennsylvania

The process for obtaining a work permit in Pennsylvania is as follows:

After obtaining a job offer, the minor must apply for a work permit with the school district by filling out the necessary form(s).
The form or application must be signed by the minor’s parent or legal guardian.
The minor must also provide proof of age, such as a birth certificate or passport.
They must then submit the completed application to the school district and request a work permit.

Parents or guardians of minors under 16 must also provide a written statement acknowledging the duties and hours of employment.

Hour Restrictions for Minors in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the work hour limits vary as per age and whether school is in session.

For Minors Aged 14 and 15 :

During the School Year:
- A maximum of 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours per school week
- Must not work between 7 PM and 7 AM
During School Vacations:
- A maximum of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week
- Must not work between 9 PM and 7 AM (or until 9 PM from June 1 to Labor Day as per the federal law)

For Minors Aged 16 and 17:

During the School Year:
- A minimum of 8 hours per day or 28 hours per school week (Monday-Friday), with an additional 8 hours allowed on the weekends.
- Must not work between 12 AM (midnight) and 6 AM
During School Vacations:
- A maximum of 10 hours per day or 48 hours per week
- Must not work between 1 AM and 6 AM

All minors are entitled to receive a 30-minute break every five consecutive hours of work.

Prohibited Jobs for Minors in Pennsylvania

The state and the federal government have classified some occupations as hazardous for minors. These are as follows.

Category	Prohibited Roles (Summary)	Who is Affected
Hazardous Machinery	Operating, cleaning, or repairing most power-driven machinery, including woodworking machines, metal-forming machines, and commercial bakery equipment.	Under 18
Construction and Height-Related Work	All occupations in roofing, demolition, excavation, and operating cranes or hoists. Minors 1aged 4-15 are generally prohibited from all construction work.	Under 18
Motor Vehicles	Driving a motor vehicle on public roads as part of a job.	Under 17
Manufacturing and Processing	Working in establishments that manufacture bricks, tiles, or explosives. Also includes occupations involving exposure to radioactive substances or dangerous acids.	Under 18
Welding and Spray Coating	Performing acetylene or electric welding, or spray coating with substances containing lead or benzol.	Under 18
Alcohol-Related Work	Working in an establishment where alcoholic beverages are produced or sold for consumption on-premises. Exceptions exist for hotels, clubs, and restaurants where minors may work in areas where alcohol is not served.	Under 18

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Any violation of Pennsylvania’s child labor laws can result in significant fines and penalties for employers.

Parental Liabilities: Although parents grant permission for minors to work, it is the employer’s duty to ensure the safety of minors. Hence, penalties must be borne by the employer.
Employer Penalties:

- Fines: As per the legislation passed by the Pennsylvania House in 2025 (H.B. 118), it is proposed that penalties must be doubled for child labor violations. If this gets enacted, a first offense would result in a fine of up to $1,000, and subsequent offenses would cost up to $3,000 per violation.
- Criminal Charges: Willful violations of the Child Labor Act can result in criminal prosecution, including a jail term of up to 10 days.

HR Notifications and Documentation

All companies and their HR departments must maintain proper records to ensure compliance with Pennsylvania’s child labor laws.

Document/Notice	What to Keep or Post	Retention & Update Notes
Work Permit	A valid work permit for every employee aged 14-17.	Keep on file for the duration of employment.
Parental Permission Statement	A signed statement from a parent or guardian for all employees under 16.	Keep on file for the duration of employment.
Proof of Age	A copy of a birth certificate, passport, or other document verifying the minor’s age.	Recommended to keep on file to support work permit validity.
Time and Payroll Records	Accurate records of hours worked and wages paid.	Must be retained for at least 3 years.
Required Posters	The “Abstract of the Child Labor Act” and “Hours of Work for Minors” posters must be displayed in a conspicuous place.	Update posters as required by the Department of Labor & Industry.

Got questions?

What is the minimum age to work in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the minimum working age for most jobs is 14. However, some exceptions exist, such as delivering newspapers, working for parents, babysitting, and caddying.

Do 16- and 17-year-olds need a work permit in Pennsylvania?

Yes. As of 2025, all minors aged between 14 and 17 must have a valid work permit issued by their school district to be legally employed in the state of Pennsylvania.

How late can a 16-year-old work on a school night?

According to state law, a 16-year-old can work until 12 AM (midnight) on a night preceding a school day.

Are there limits on how many hours a 17-year-old can work during the summer?

What happens if an employer violates a child labor law in Pennsylvania?

Can a 17-year-old work in construction?

If an employer violates the state child labor law, they are subject to fines, which are proposed to be up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $3,000 for all subsequent offenses. Willful violations can also result in criminal charges and jail time of up to 10 days.