By Evan Lange
In Texas, most jobs require a worker to be at least 14. Both Texas and federal law limit hours for 14- and 15-year-olds: under federal rules they can’t work during school hours, more than 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours in a school week, or before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day). Texas adds a cap of 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week and bars late-night work, such as after 10 p.m. before a school day. Workers 16 and 17 have no federal hour limits but can’t do hazardous jobs until 18. Teens are entitled to minimum wage, overtime and protection from harassment like any other employee.
The holiday season brings thousands of first jobs in Houston: retail, restaurants, movie theaters, grocery stores and seasonal warehouses. Teen workers and their parents often don’t know the rules, and some employers take advantage. Here’s what Texas and federal law allow, and what to do when something isn’t right.
State rules apply to all Texas employers; federal rules apply to employers covered by the FLSA, which includes most larger businesses. Where both apply, the stricter rule wins. The Texas Workforce Commission can grant hardship waivers in limited cases.
Texas follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Federal law allows a lower youth minimum wage of $4.25 for workers under 20 during their first 90 consecutive days with an employer. Tipped teens are covered by the same tip rules as adults. See our minimum wage guide, pay for tipped workers and break rules.
Teens are protected from sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation the same as adult employees. Young workers in retail and food service are often targeted by supervisors who assume they won’t speak up.
Learn more about sexual harassment in Texas and harassment at work. For seasonal jobs, see seasonal and temp workers’ rights.
Generally 14, with limited exceptions such as certain family businesses and some newspaper delivery and entertainment work.
Under federal rules, no more than 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non-school day and 40 hours in a non-school week. Texas also caps work at 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week.
Federal rules allow work only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., extended to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day. Texas also bars work between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. before a school day.
There are no federal hour limits for 16- and 17-year-olds, but they cannot work in hazardous occupations until age 18.
Federal law allows a youth minimum wage of $4.25 per hour for workers under 20 during their first 90 consecutive calendar days with an employer. After that, the regular minimum wage applies.
The Lange Firm represents employees in Houston and across Texas. Attorney Evan Lange can review unpaid wages, harassment or retaliation affecting young workers. Learn more about workplace discrimination.
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Not teach a young worker to stay quiet.
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