Child Labor Laws in Wisconsin

Understanding the child labor laws of Wisconsin is essential for both employers and minors to maintain a safe, compliant, and supportive work environment. These regulations are typically enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), and are specifically designed to protect the interests of minors, their education, and well-being. They typically lay down essentials like minimum working age, work permit requirements for those under 16 years of age, working hour limits, and prohibited occupations. 

This guide provides a clear and practical overview of Wisconsin’s child labor laws for 2025, designed for HR leaders, managers, and employees.

How the State Regulates Child Labor

Wisconsin has set a series of mechanisms to regulate employment across the state. 

• Minimum Age: Minors aged 14 through 18 can seek employment in Wisconsin, with some exceptions for individuals as young as 12 in certain jobs.
• Work Permits: Minors under the age of 16 must obtain an employment certificate or work permit to begin employment in Wisconsin.
• Hour Restrictions: The law defines specific maximum daily and weekly hours, and time-of-day curfews. However, these vary by age and whether school is in session.
• Hazardous Occupations: The state lists prohibited hazardous occupations where minors are not allowed to work. This aligns with the federal standards as well.

Relation to Federal Law

As of 2025, employers in Wisconsin must adhere to both state and federal child labor laws, and follow the stricter rules when the two differ. For 14- and 15-year-olds, the state’s hour restrictions closely align with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), like the 7:00 PM curfew on school nights and the 9:00 PM curfew in the summer. For 16- and 17-year-olds, Wisconsin law imposes a curfew of 11:00 PM on school nights. However, such a restriction is not found in federal law, making Wisconsin’s rule more protective and therefore the one that employers must follow.

Minimum Working Age in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the minimum working age is 14 years. However, some exceptions exist, allowing minors younger than 14 to work. These include:

• Street trades, such as delivering newspapers (age 12).
• Performing agricultural work (age 12).
• Participating in school lunch programs (age 12).
• Acting as sideline officials at football games (age 12).
• Working as a golf caddie (age 12).

Work Permits for Minors in Wisconsin

The state of Wisconsin mandates that all minors under the age of 16 obtain a work permit before starting employment. However, 16 and 17-year-old minors do not require a work permit.

The process of obtaining a work permit is as follows: 

• The minor’s parent/guardian must create an online DWD ID and initiate the permit application process.  
• They must fill in all the necessary details, including information about the minor, the employer, and the school they attend. 
• The parent/guardian must then pay fees for the permit, which the employer is required to reimburse on the minor’s first paycheck.
• Once the payment is processed, the work permit must be mailed directly to the employer. 
• The minor can then begin working upon receipt of the confirmation email.

Hour Restrictions for Minors in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, working hour restrictions vary based on a minor’s 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 and 18 hours per school week
  • Must only work between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM
  • Must not work during school hours.
• During Summer Vacation (June 1 to Labor Day):
  • A maximum of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week
  • Must work between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM only.

For Minors Aged 16 and 17:

• Time of Day (as per the state law):
  • Must not work after 11:00 PM when school is in session.
  • No hour restrictions for high school graduates. 
• Rest Breaks: 
  • Any minor who works after 11:00 PM must have at least 8 hours of rest between the end of the shift and the start of the next shift.
  • All minors under 18 years of age must receive a 30-minute duty-free break for meals after working for more than 6 consecutive hours.

Prohibited Jobs for Minors in Wisconsin

The state law prohibits minors from working in a wide range of dangerous occupations to ensure their safety.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Any employer who violates the state’s child labor laws will be subject to significant financial penalties.

• Parental Liabilities: The legal responsibility for compliance with the child labor laws and any resulting penalties lies with the employer.
• Employer Penalties:

• • Liquidated Damages: If an employer violates the hourly restrictions, they must pay the minor 2X their regular wage rate for all hours worked in violation.
  • Workplace Injury: If an employer gives job to a minor without a work permit and the minor suffers injuries on the job, the employer shall be charged a penalty equal to the workers’ compensation settlement. Moreover, if the injury occurs while performing a prohibited hazardous work, the employer shall be required to pay double the workers’ compensation settlement apart from the settlement itself.

HR Notifications and Documentations

It is important for all organizations to maintain proper records in order to fully comply with the child labor laws in Wisconsin.