...
Summary of differences between federal and state regulations
The Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services, Bureau of Safety and Regulation, Wage and Hour Division administers the child labor laws. The MI Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity governs the registration of minors and employers who want to hire minors.
Work age
Youths must be:
- No age specified for newspaper delivery, working for parents, domestic jobs in private homes, and shining shoes
- 11 for golf caddies and bridge caddies
- 13 for farm work outside of school hours
- 14 for most non-hazardous jobs
- 16 for most jobs involving machine operation
- 18 for jobs involving cash transactions after sunset
Work hours
Youths 14 or older may work:
- 7 am to 9 pm (8 pm or sunset if job involves cash transactions and no employee over 18 is present)
- 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week, 6 days/week (no more than 10 hours in one day)
- 48 hours/week total school hours and work hours when school is in session
- 11 hours/day, 62 hours/week during school vacation with parental consent for some farm operations
Youth 16-17 may work:
- 6 am to 10:30 pm (11:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, during school vacations, and when school is not in session)
- No more than six days in one week
- No more than an average of 8 hours per day in one week (no more than 10 hours in one day)
- No more than 48 hours/week, or more than 24 hours/week when school is in session
- No more than 11 hours/day, 62 hours/week when school is not in session with parental consent for some farm operations, but not between 2 am and 5:30 am
- No restrictions for high school graduates
NOTE: The state child labor restrictions do not apply to or prohibit the employment of a minor 16 years of age or older who has completed the requirements for graduation from high school or obtained a high school equivalency certificate. An employer, before employing the minor, shall obtain and keep on file a certification from the school the minor attended certifying that the minor has completed the requirements for graduation or a copy of the high school equivalency certificate. The restrictions also do not apply to or prohibit the employment of a minor 17 years of age or older who has successfully passed the general educational development test. An employer, before employing the minor, shall obtain and keep on file proof of the minor's successful completion.
Breaks
Youth must be given a 30-minute break every five hours.
Permits
Effective April 2, 2025, permits will not be issued. Minors must be registered with the MI Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Employers that wish to hire minors must also be registered with the MI Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and receive authorization from the department.
Youth under 18 must have a work permit, issued by local school officials. Permit must list the youth’s daily hours, starting and quitting times. Permit must be kept for one year and returned to the issuer at termination.
Postings
Employers must post a printed notice summarizing the Michigan child labor law provisions.
State
Contact
Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Wage & Hour Division
MI Department of Labor and Economic OpportunityRegulations
The Michigan Youth Employment Standards Act can be found in Chapter 409, Sections 101 through 409.124 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
Federal
Contact
The Department of Labor is the sole federal agency that monitors child labor and enforces child labor laws. Enforcement of the Fair Labor Standard Act's child labor provisions is handled by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department’s Employment Standards Administration.
Regulations
U.S. child labor regulations can be found in CFR 29:
Part 570 Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation
Part 575 Waiver of Child Labor Provisions for Agricultural Employment of 10 and 11 Year Old Minors In Hand Harvesting of Short Season Crops
Part 579 Child Labor Violations – Civil Money Penalties