So, you’re 16 and living in Ohio, and you finally want to stack some cash. Maybe it’s for a car, or maybe you’re just tired of asking your parents for twenty bucks every time you want to go to Raising Cane's. Whatever the reason, you’ve probably heard that things get "official" once you hit 16. You’re not a "little kid" in the eyes of the Ohio Department of Commerce anymore, but you aren't exactly a free agent either.
Honestly, the rules are a bit of a maze.
One minute you’re told you can work whenever, and the next, your boss is freakishly checking the clock because it’s 10:59 p.m. on a Tuesday. Ohio actually has some of the more specific teen labor regulations in the Midwest, especially since Governor Mike DeWine recently vetoed a bill in late 2025 that would have let 14- and 15-year-olds work later. For you—the 16-year-old—the rules stayed steady, but they are still strictly enforced.
The Reality of Work Permits in 2026
First things first: the paper trail. You’ve likely heard of a "work permit," or what the state formally calls an Age and Schooling Certificate.
If school is in session, you must have one. No exceptions.
Basically, the process starts with you getting a job offer. You can’t just walk into your high school office and ask for a permit "just in case" you find work. The employer has to fill out their part first, then your parents sign it, and then the school signs off.
Why the Summer is Different
Here is a weird quirk: if it’s summer vacation, you don’t need that formal permit from the school. Ohio law assumes that since you aren't in class, the school doesn't need to track your hours. However, don't think you're totally off the hook. Your employer still needs "proof of age" (like a birth certificate) and a signed consent form from your parents to keep in their files.
Ohio Child Labor Laws for 16 Year-Olds: The Clock is Ticking
When you're 16, the state treats your time differently depending on whether you have to be in a classroom the next morning. It’s all about "nights preceding a school day."
School Night Restrictions
If you have school the next day, you cannot work past 11:00 p.m. This is where a lot of local businesses get in trouble. They’ll try to keep a 16-year-old until midnight to finish a closing shift at a grocery store or a pizza shop. If they do that on a Sunday through Thursday night, they are breaking the law.
There’s also a rule about the morning. You can’t start work before 7:00 a.m. on a school day. However, there is a tiny "hack" in the law: if you didn’t work past 8:00 p.m. the night before, you can actually start as early as 6:00 a.m. But let's be real—how many 16-year-olds are rushing to work at 6:00 a.m. before first period?
The "No Limit" Summer
Once the school year ends, the shackles are basically off. For 16 and 17-year-olds in Ohio, there are no state-mandated hourly limits during summer break.
Technically, you could work a 12-hour shift if you wanted to (and if your boss allows it). You can work 50 hours a week if you’re trying to grind. The only thing that stays the same is the break rule.
The 30-Minute Break Rule (Non-Negotiable)
In Ohio, if you work more than 5 consecutive hours, your employer is legally required to give you a 30-minute uninterrupted rest period.
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- It cannot be 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there.
- You must be completely "off the clock" and "duty-free."
- If your boss makes you answer phones while you eat your sandwich, that doesn't count as a break.
Jobs You Simply Cannot Do
Even though you’re 16, the state (and the federal government via the FLSA) thinks some jobs are just too dangerous. You might feel capable, but the law says "no" to these specific tasks:
The "No-Go" List for 16-Year-Olds:
- Roofing: You cannot be on or near a roof for work.
- Power-Driven Saws: Circular saws, band saws, even those big guillotine shears—stay away.
- Meat Slicers: If you work at a deli, you can’t operate or even clean the power slicer. This is a huge one that gets restaurants fined every single year.
- Driving: You can drive on private property (like moving a car in a dealership lot) if you have a license, but you generally cannot be a "delivery driver" on public roads until you are 17 or 18, and even then, there are massive restrictions.
- Explosives/Mining: Hopefully, this one is obvious. No TNT for you.
Money Talk: Minimum Wage in 2026
As of January 1, 2026, Ohio’s minimum wage has adjusted again. For most employees, it is now $10.70 per hour (this fluctuates slightly with inflation, so always check the latest January update).
However, if you work at a very small business (grossing under $394,000 a year), they might only be required to pay the federal minimum of $7.25, though most Ohio businesses have to hit the state rate. Also, if you’re in a "tipped" role like a server, your base pay might be lower (around $5.35), but your tips must bring you up to the full minimum wage. If they don't, your employer has to make up the difference.
Actionable Steps for 16-Year-Olds Starting a Job:
- Check your school's portal: Most Ohio high schools have the "Pre-Application for a Minor Work Permit" available as a PDF online. Print it before your interview.
- Verify your shift times: If you’re hired for a closing shift, look at the schedule. If it says "11:30 p.m." on a school night, show your manager the Ohio Minor Labor Laws poster. They are required by law to have it hanging in the breakroom anyway.
- Log your own hours: Use an app or a simple notebook. Employers sometimes "forget" to clock you out for that mandatory 30-minute break, or they might accidentally schedule you for too many hours during a school week.
- Keep your grades up: In Ohio, your school superintendent actually has the power to revoke your work permit if they feel your job is causing your grades to tank or if you're skipping school. Your education technically legally outranks your paycheck until you're 18.
Working at 16 is a great way to learn the value of a dollar, but don't let a job take advantage of you. Know your hours, get your breaks, and make sure that permit is filed correctly so you don't end up out of a job because of a paperwork error.