How Many Hours Can a 16-Year-Old Work in Michigan?
A 16-year-old in Michigan can generally work up to 10 hours in a day and up to 48 hours in a week, subject to limits on workdays, school attendance, and when work may take place. Michigan’s rules also count school and work together: during a school week, the combined total generally cannot exceed 48 hours. That means the number of hours available for a job depends partly on the student’s school schedule. Federal law adds restrictions on hazardous work, even when the hours themselves are allowed.
Michigan Work-Hour Limits for 16-Year-Olds
Michigan’s Youth Employment Standards Act applies to most employees under 18. For a 16-year-old, the main limits include the hours worked per day and week, the number of days worked, and the time of day a shift may occur. In general, a minor may work no more than 10 hours in one day and no more than six days in one week.
Michigan also limits the combined amount of school and work during a school week. A minor’s total time in school and at work generally cannot exceed 48 hours in a week. As a result, there is not necessarily a single work-hour allowance that applies to every student during the school year. The available work time depends on how many hours the student spends in school.
For example, if a student attends school for 30 hours in a week, the combined limit leaves up to 18 hours for work, assuming the schedule also meets the daily, weekly, and time-of-day rules. If school is not in session, the school-hour portion does not use up the combined allowance, but the other work-hour limits still apply.
These are maximum legal limits, not a guarantee that an employer will schedule that many hours. Employers may set lower limits, and school, family, transportation, or workplace policies can affect a student’s actual schedule.
At-a-Glance: Michigan Rules for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
| Schedule rule | General Michigan limit |
|---|---|
| Hours worked per day | No more than 10 hours |
| Days worked per week | No more than six days |
| School-week total | School and work generally cannot exceed 48 combined hours |
| Work before or after permitted hours | Generally no work before 6 a.m. or after 10:30 p.m.; certain late shifts may extend to 11:30 p.m. |
| School hours | Work generally cannot take place during scheduled school hours |
These limits are a practical summary. The exact application can depend on the school calendar and the circumstances of a shift. Employers and families can check the current requirements with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s child labor guidance.
Does Michigan Set a 24-Hour Weekly Limit?
Some online summaries say that Michigan teens can work only 24 hours during a school week. That figure should not automatically be treated as the statewide weekly cap for a 16-year-old. Michigan’s rule for 16- and 17-year-olds is generally described as a 48-hour combined school-and-work limit, rather than a universal 24-hour work limit.
A 24-hour schedule could still be too much for a particular student if adding those hours to school time would push the combined total above 48. Conversely, a student with fewer school hours may have more room for work, provided all other restrictions are met. Rules for younger teens differ, and summaries that combine age groups can create confusion.
Because schedules and school calendars vary, families should confirm how the combined limit applies to the student’s circumstances instead of relying on a general number from an unofficial source.
When Can a 16-Year-Old Work in Michigan?
For 16- and 17-year-olds, Michigan generally restricts work between 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. There is an exception that can allow work until 11:30 p.m. on a Friday or Saturday, or on a day when school is not scheduled for the next day. The exception concerns the end of a shift; it does not remove the daily, weekly, or school-and-work limits.
For instance, a shift that runs late on a Saturday may qualify for the later cutoff if the next day is not a school day. A late shift before a regular school day generally cannot be assumed to qualify. Employers should check the applicable rule when setting closing shifts, especially when school is in session.
Michigan also generally prohibits a minor from working during school hours. This restriction is separate from the combined weekly cap. A student who is excused from school or is on break should not assume every daytime shift is automatically permitted; the applicable school schedule and youth-employment requirements still matter.
How School Breaks Affect Work Hours
When school is not in session, school hours no longer contribute to the combined school-and-work total. A 16-year-old may therefore be able to work more hours during a school break than during a typical school week. However, the daily maximum, six-day limit, permitted work times, and other Michigan requirements still apply.
For example, a summer schedule could include as many as 10 hours on a workday and work on up to six days, but the employer still needs to ensure the schedule complies with the weekly rules and any applicable restrictions. A break in the school calendar does not make a minor exempt from child labor protections.
Employers should also verify whether the student’s school is in session on a particular day. Holidays, professional-development days, and partial school days can affect scheduling questions, so an assumption based on a typical school week may not be sufficient.
Michigan Rules and Federal Child Labor Law
Federal law under the Fair Labor Standards Act generally does not set daily or weekly hour limits for employees who are 16 or 17. That does not mean a 16-year-old can work without limits in Michigan: the more protective applicable state requirements still matter. Federal law also restricts workers under 18 from certain hazardous occupations.
Hazardous work restrictions can apply even when an employee is old enough to work the shift or number of hours. Federal rules prohibit most workers under 18 from jobs such as operating certain power-driven machinery, working in some roofing or excavation jobs, and operating a motor vehicle on public roads as part of the job, subject to limited exceptions. The U.S. Department of Labor provides details in its YouthRules! guidance.
Michigan has its own prohibited-occupation requirements as well. A job title does not determine whether a task is allowed; the duties actually performed can matter. Employers should review both state and federal requirements before assigning a minor to equipment, food-service tasks, construction work, or other potentially restricted duties.
Does a 16-Year-Old Need a Work Permit in Michigan?
Michigan generally requires a work permit, also called a work authorization, for a minor under 18 before employment begins. The document helps confirm that the employment is permitted and that the required information has been completed. The process typically involves the student, the employer, and the school or issuing authority.
A work permit does not authorize a schedule that violates hour limits or allow prohibited work. It is also not a substitute for checking job duties and shift times. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s current child labor information explains the state process and provides guidance for employers and families.
Common Scheduling Examples
During a typical school week
A student’s possible work hours depend on school hours. If school and work together would exceed the 48-hour weekly total, the schedule needs to be reduced. The student must also avoid work during school hours and comply with the daily, weekly, and nighttime restrictions.
During a school vacation
With no scheduled school hours, more of the combined weekly allowance may be available for work. The student still cannot work more than 10 hours in a day or six days in a week, and the permitted hours of the day still apply.
For a late shift
A 10:45 p.m. end time may be allowed under the exception when the shift falls on a Friday or Saturday, or before a day with no school. The exception should not be applied to every night of the week, and it does not extend the daily or weekly maximum.
How Families and Employers Can Check a Schedule
Before a 16-year-old starts a job or accepts a new shift, the schedule can be checked in a few steps:
- Count school hours. Identify the student’s actual school schedule for the week.
- Add work hours. Check that school and work together generally stay within Michigan’s 48-hour school-week limit.
- Review each shift. Confirm that no workday exceeds 10 hours and that the student works no more than six days in the week.
- Check the start and end times. Apply the general 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. window and confirm whether the 11:30 p.m. exception is available.
- Verify the job duties and paperwork. Confirm that the work is permitted for a minor and that required work authorization is in place.
Employers should keep accurate records of hours worked and use the student’s school calendar when assessing a school-week schedule. Families can ask for a written shift plan and raise questions before a minor works a shift that may fall outside the permitted hours.
Where to Find Current Michigan Guidance
Child labor requirements can change, and online summaries may use different age groups or describe older rules. For a current answer about a particular job or schedule, consult the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Department of Labor YouthRules! site. Those agencies provide the most relevant official guidance on Michigan work hours for 16-year-olds, permits, and restricted occupations.
In short: a 16-year-old in Michigan generally may work up to 10 hours per day and six days per week, while school and work together generally cannot exceed 48 hours during a school week. The permitted time of day and the job’s duties also matter, so a legal schedule must meet all of these requirements at once.