Updated August 26, 2026
Short answer: Yes. A 15-year-old can work in Arizona in many nonagricultural jobs, but only outside school hours, within strict daily and weekly limits, and only in occupations allowed for 14- and 15-year-olds. Both Arizona and federal youth-employment rules can apply. When the rules differ, the employer must follow the more protective standard.
This guide summarizes generally applicable rules for ordinary nonagricultural employment. Agriculture, entertainment, family-owned businesses, apprenticeships and approved school programs can involve different rules or exemptions. It is educational information, not legal advice. Employers and families should confirm the facts of a specific job with the Industrial Commission of Arizona or the U.S. Department of Labor.
Youth-employment rules are designed to protect a minor’s schooling, health and safety. Image source: iStock.
Can you work at 15 in Arizona?
A 15-year-old can generally work outside school hours in specifically permitted nonmanufacturing and nonhazardous jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Fact Sheet 43 explains the federal standards, while the Industrial Commission of Arizona youth-employment page explains the state program. The Arizona agency expressly warns that the stricter rule controls when both laws cover the employment.
That means an employer cannot choose whichever rule is easier. For example, Arizona law allows somewhat broader times of day for workers under 16, but the federal rule is generally stricter and normally limits covered 14- and 15-year-olds to work beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m., with the evening limit extended to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day.
Youth-employment rules by age
| Age | General nonagricultural rule | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Under 14 | Generally cannot work in nonagricultural jobs covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. | Limited exceptions can include acting, delivering newspapers, casual babysitting and qualifying work for a parent-owned business. |
| 14–15 | May work outside school hours in occupations the federal rules specifically permit. | Daily, weekly, time-of-day and job-duty limits apply. |
| 16–17 | Federal law does not impose a general hours cap, and Arizona’s cited youth-hours statute applies to workers under 16. | Hazardous occupations remain prohibited until age 18, and school-attendance or other rules can still matter. |
| 18+ | The federal youth-employment provisions no longer apply. | Ordinary workplace, wage and safety laws still apply. |
These are starting points, not a complete list of exceptions. A job’s industry, duties, ownership, school program and federal coverage can change the analysis.
How many hours can a 14- or 15-year-old work?
For ordinary covered nonagricultural employment, the practical combined limits are:
- Work only outside school hours.
- No more than 3 hours on a school day, including Friday.
- No more than 18 hours in a week when school is in session.
- No more than 8 hours on a nonschool day.
- No more than 40 hours in a week when school is not in session.
- Generally work only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- From June 1 through Labor Day, the federal evening limit extends to 9 p.m.
The hour totals appear in both the federal rules and A.R.S. § 23-233. Arizona’s state time-of-day limits begin at 6 a.m. and can extend to 9:30 p.m. before a school day or 11 p.m. before a nonschool day. However, the Arizona hours-restrictions page cautions that the federal rule normally prevents covered workers under 16 from working before 7 a.m., after 7 p.m. during the school year, or after 9 p.m. during the summer period. Employers must apply the stricter rule.
What jobs can a 15-year-old do?
Federal rules allow 14- and 15-year-olds to perform specified work in settings such as retail, offices and food service. Examples can include cashiering, price marking, bagging groceries, shelving, office work, tutoring, creative work, errands by foot or bicycle, certain cleanup tasks and limited kitchen work.
The exact duties matter more than the job title. A restaurant may employ a 15-year-old for some counter or food-preparation tasks while prohibiting that same worker from baking, using an open flame, operating a prohibited power-driven machine or entering a meat cooler. The DOL’s Fact Sheet 43 states that, for this age group, work that is not specifically permitted is prohibited.
For ideas that still require a duty-by-duty legal check, see 10 Unique Jobs for Teenagers.
Which jobs are prohibited for minors?
Arizona and federal law bar minors from dangerous work. The Industrial Commission’s occupational-restrictions page lists prohibited work for minors under 18, including many occupations involving explosives, mining, logging, power-driven woodworking or metal-forming machines, meat-processing equipment, bakery machinery, roofing, demolition and excavation.
Workers under 16 face additional restrictions. These include most manufacturing, processing, warehousing and construction work; certain commercial-laundry work; work in boiler or engine rooms; work from ladders or scaffolds; and many activities involving power-driven equipment.
Do not rely on a broad job title such as “restaurant helper,” “farm hand” or “warehouse assistant.” Employers should identify every task, machine, work area and time of day before assigning work to a minor.
Do Arizona minors need a work permit or parental consent?
No Arizona work permit is generally required. The Industrial Commission’s youth-employment FAQ also says parental permission is not required and does not authorize work that violates youth-employment law.
An employer should still verify the worker’s age. A parent can help evaluate transportation, supervision, scheduling and safety, but signing a consent form does not erase hours or occupation restrictions.
Do family businesses and school programs have exceptions?
Some exceptions exist, but they are narrower than a simple “the parent approved it” rule. The Arizona youth-exemptions page describes state exceptions involving certain family ownership, performers, recognized career or vocational programs, registered apprenticeships and other specific circumstances. It also warns that federal law may not recognize the same exception.
For example, the Arizona page says federal law does not provide a parental exemption from occupational restrictions. A family-business arrangement should therefore be checked under both systems before the minor starts work.
What is Arizona’s minimum wage for minors in 2026?
Arizona’s statewide minimum wage is $15.15 per hour beginning January 1, 2026, according to the Industrial Commission of Arizona Labor Department. Arizona’s minimum-wage guidance does not create a lower general rate merely because an employee is a minor.
Coverage, tipped-work rules, exemptions and a higher applicable local minimum can affect a specific paycheck. Employers should use the current state poster and verify any city rule that applies to the work location rather than relying on an old wage quoted in an article.
A compliance checklist for employers and families
Before the first shift
- Confirm the worker’s age.
- Identify whether the job is agricultural or nonagricultural.
- List the actual tasks, equipment, work areas and any driving.
- Check both Arizona and federal occupation restrictions.
- Build a schedule around school hours and the stricter time limit.
- Confirm the applicable state or local minimum wage.
During employment
- Track daily and weekly hours accurately.
- Do not add an unreviewed task merely because another employee performs it.
- Provide required safety training and appropriate supervision.
- Recheck duties when the worker changes departments or begins using equipment.
- Keep school, transportation, rest and wellbeing in the scheduling discussion.
Common questions
Can a 15-year-old work at a restaurant in Arizona?
Often yes, but only in permitted duties and within the hours rules. Some counter, cashiering, cleaning and limited food-preparation tasks may be allowed. Baking, open-flame cooking, meat-processing equipment and other prohibited tasks may not be.
Can a 15-year-old work until 9:30 p.m. on a school night?
Not in ordinary employment covered by the stricter federal rule. Although Arizona’s state statute defines a later nighttime boundary, the federal rule generally ends work at 7 p.m. during the school year and 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day.
Can a 16- or 17-year-old work 48 hours a week?
There is no general 48-hour cap in the federal youth-employment rules, and Arizona’s cited youth-hours restriction applies to workers under 16. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds may generally work unlimited hours under the federal youth rules, but they still cannot perform occupations declared hazardous for minors and may be subject to school-attendance, scheduling or other employment laws.
Can a 13-year-old get a regular job?
Generally not in nonagricultural employment covered by the FLSA. Limited exceptions may apply to activities such as acting, delivering newspapers, casual babysitting and certain work for a parent-owned business. Agriculture follows a different framework.
The takeaway
A 15-year-old can work in Arizona, but the safest answer is not just “yes.” The job must be permitted, the duties must be reviewed, work must occur outside school hours, and the schedule must satisfy the stricter of Arizona and federal rules. Arizona does not generally require a work permit, and parental consent does not override the law.
Rules and wage rates change. Before relying on this guide for a hiring decision, check the current Industrial Commission of Arizona youth-employment pages and the U.S. Department of Labor’s youth-employment guidance or contact the responsible agency.
