Can 14 to 17-Year-Olds Work in Oregon?

February 14, 2024

Fourteen to 17-year-olds can work and take paid internship positions in offices, stores, restaurants, hotels, carwashes, service stations, theaters, amusement parks, parks, yards, nursing homes, hospitals, daycare centers, kennels, and farms.

14- and 15-year-olds can work:
   When school is in session:

  • Three hours per day on school days
  • Eight hours per day on non-school days
  • 18 hours per week maximum
  • Only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
  • Working is not allowed during school hours

   When school is not in session:

  • Eight hours per day
  • 40 hours per week maximum
  • From June 1 through Labor Day: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

16- and 17-year-olds can work any time of year, any hours, and with no daily restrictions. They can also work up to 44 hours per week.

Employees must be paid the minimum wage for all hours worked. Some employees must be paid time-and-a-half the regular rate of pay for any time worked over 40 hours a week. Door-to-door sales are not subject to minimum wage law. Non-profit youth camps are not subject to the minimum wage or overtime laws.

For more information, visit www.oregon.gov/boli/employers/pages/minor-workers.aspx.

Latest Items

Subscription Service

You can sign up to receive email notifications when publications have been updated or new articles are added for any geographic area you are interested in. You can receive new articles on a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule – whichever is most convenient for you.

Visit the subscription order form to sign up. It allows you to choose your preferences, and you can change those preferences – or unsubscribe – at any time.