At 14 years old, you can legally work in a variety of non-agricultural jobs, primarily within the retail sector and roles that involve intellectual or creative work. These opportunities allow young individuals to gain valuable experience in a structured environment.
Permitted Job Types for 14-Year-Olds
Fourteen-year-olds are allowed to work in several types of non-agricultural jobs, focusing on roles that are generally safe and contribute to skill development. These include:
- Retail Occupations: Many jobs within the retail sector are open to 14-year-olds. These roles often involve customer interaction, merchandise handling, and maintaining store presentation.
- Intellectual or Creative Work: Positions that leverage mental abilities or artistic talents are also permissible, offering a different pathway for young workers to apply their skills.
Specific Examples of Legal Employment
To provide a clearer understanding, here are specific examples of roles that 14-year-olds can legally perform:
| Job Category | Specific Examples of Work |
|---|---|
| Most Retail Occupations | * Cashiering |
| * Selling | |
| * Price Marking | |
| * Packing (light items) | |
| * Shelving (merchandise) | |
| Intellectual or Creative Work | * Computer Programming |
| * Teaching | |
| * Tutoring | |
| * Singing | |
| * Acting | |
| * Playing an Instrument |
These examples illustrate the breadth of work available, ranging from customer service and organizational tasks in retail to more specialized, skill-based roles. It's important to note that these are general categories, and specific state and federal labor laws, including restrictions on hours and hazardous work, must always be followed.
