Employment  Resources

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FOR MINORS

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- 1. What is the minimum wage for minors?

For minors working in agriculture, the State of Connecticut, or any political subdivision of the State, the minimum fair wage is not less than 85% of minimum wage, which is $14.00 as of July 1, 2022. For minors working in other industries, the minimum fair wage it is not less than 85% of minimum wage for the first 90 days of employment. This is covered in Section 31-58 and Section 31-58a of the Connecticut General Statutes.

- 2. Is there a sub-minimum rate that applies to minors in Connecticut?

Yes. Persons under the age of 18, except emancipated minors, shall be paid at not less than 85% of the minimum fair wage for the first 90 days of employment, except in institutional training programs specifically exempted by the commissioner.

- 3. What may an employee between the ages of 16 and 18 who has worked less than 200 hours and less than 90 days be paid?

A minor employee must be paid at least $12.75 (85%) per hour during the first 90 days of employment based on the current minimum wage rate set at $15.00. This is applicable if it is the minor’s first job.

- 4. Is there a checklist for minors applying for a Statement of Age/Working Papers?

Yes. Please see the "Checklist for Minors Applying for Statement of Age/Working Papers" page for more information.

- 5. What are the prohibited occupations and places of employment for all minors under the age of 18?

Please see the https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_545.htm#sec_30-90a page for more information.

- 6. What are the permitted places of employment for 14 and 15 year-olds?

Please see the "Permitted Occupations for 14 and 15 Year-Olds" page for more information.

- 7. What are the time and hour restrictions for 16 and 17 year-olds?

Please see the "Time and Hour Restrictions for 16 and 17 Year-Old Minors" page for more information.

** Just because it is legal to have a job in these areas, doesn't mean an employer has to or will hire you.  Contact companies individually. 

EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS

Permitted Occupations for 14 & 15 Year-Olds

The Connecticut Department of Education only issues Working Papers for 14 year-olds to work as caddies or in the pro shops of private or municipal golf courses, and for 15 year-olds to work in that capacity or in mercantile/retail environments. Working Papers for 14 and 15 year-olds are not issued under any other circumstances but for the above mentioned.

No working papers are required for the below list of examples of permitted occupations for 14 and 15 year olds.

• Agriculture

• Street trades (newspaper delivery, shoe shining, baby-sitting)

• Hospitals (no food service or laundry)

• Convalescent homes (no food service or laundry)

• Hotels and motels (no food service or laundry)

• Banks

• Insurance companies

• Professional offices (lawyers, CPAs)

• Municipalities (library attendants, recreation departments)

• Acting

• Household chores for private homeowners (yard work

• Licensed summer camps

*15-year old may be employed or permitted to work in any mercantile establishment as a bagger, cashier, or stock clerk (see P.A. 08-108)

Any questions on non-hazardous occupations not contained in this list should be directed to the Wage & Workplace Standards Division - 860-263-6790.

Any questions regarding working papers should be directed to the Connecticut Department of Education - 860-807-2130.

14 & 15 year-old minors may not be employed:

The times and hours of this employment generally are limited to periods of school vacation, during which school is NOT in session for five consecutive days or more, and with the following conditions: 

• not more than 40 hours in any week;

• not more than eight hours in any day; and

• may work between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except from July 1 to the first
  Monday in September, when the 15-year-old minor may work until 9 p.m.  

A minor employed in a retail food store may work on any Saturday during the year.

EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS

Time & Hour Restrictions For 16 & 17 Year-Old Minors (By Industry)

Persons under 18 years ENROLLED IN and not graduated from a secondary institution.

Restaurants - During school weeks:

• 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (midnight if school vacation/not prior to a school day/not attending school)

• 6 hours per day/32 hours per week

• 8 hours per day on Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Restaurants - During non - school weeks:

• 8 hours per day/48 hours per week

• 6 days per week

Recreational, Amusement, and Theater - During school weeks:

• 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (midnight if school vacation/not prior to a school day/not attending school)

• 6 hours per day/32 hours per week

• 8 hours per day on Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Please be advised of the following requirement (which impacts the restaurant industry) enforced by the Department of Consumer Protection :

Sec. 30-90a. Employment of minors. Permits held by, and financial interests of, persons over eighteen on July 1, 1982, not affected. Any person over age eighteen may be employed by an employer holding a permit issued under this chapter except that any person fifteen years of age or older may be so employed by such an employer on premises operating under a grocery store beer permit. A minor performing paid or volunteer services of an emergency nature shall be deemed to be an employee subject to the provisions of this section.

Recreational, Amusement, and Theater - During non-school weeks:

• 8 hours per day/48 hours per week

• 6 days per week

Manufacturing and Mechanical  - During school weeks:

• 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. if school vacation/not prior to a school day/not attending school)

• 6 hours per day/32 hours per week

• 8 hours per day on Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Manufacturing and Mechanical  - During non-school weeks:

• 8 hours per day/48 hours per week

• 6 days per week

Retail/Mercantile - During school weeks:

• 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. if school vacation/not prior to a school day/not attending school/ 12:00 midnight in a supermarket, if 3500 square feet, when no school the next day)

• 6 hours per day/32 hours per week

• 8 hours per day on Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Retail/Mercantile - During non-school weeks:

• 8 hours per day/48 hours per week

• 6 days per week

Hairdressing, Bowling Alley, Pool Hall, or Photography Gallery  - During school weeks:

• 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• 6 hours per day/32 hours per week

• 8 hours per day on Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Hairdressing, Bowling Alley, Pool Hall, or Photography Gallery  - During non-school weeks:

• 8 hours per day/48 hours per week

• 6 days per week

Persons under 18 years NOT ENROLLED IN and not graduated from a secondary institution.

Retail/Mercantile:

• 8 hours per day/48 hours per week

• 6 days per week

Restaurant, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Recreation, Amusement, and Theater:

• 9 hours per day/48 hours per week

• 6 days per week

For all occupations work experience as part of an approved educational plan will not be counted towards permitted hourly limits.

Minimum Wage - $11.00 per hour (effective October 1, 2019)
                                $12.00 per hour (effective September 1, 2020)
                            $13.00 per hour (effective August 1, 2021)
                            $14.00 per hour (effective July 1, 2022)
                            $15.00 per hour (effective June 1, 2023)

Call (860) 263-6791 with wage questions.  

Questions?

The Workplace Standards unit enforces a variety of Connecticut's labor laws including, but not limited to: child labor, drug testing, family & medical leave, personnel files, meal periods, insurance extension, and smoking in the workplace.

Call us at (860) 263-6791 M-F 8:30-4:30 or check our Web Site at: www.ctdol.state.ct.us/wgwkstnd/wgemenu.htm

Steps in Obtaining Working Papers for Minors:  **NOT all employers will require Working Papers.  You  must ask the work site that gave you a job offer if they need them.  

1. The minor interviews for and receives an offer of employment. 

2. The employer provides a Promise of Employment letter. 

3. The minor provides the Promise of Employment letter and proof of age to the superintendent’s designee (usually your school counseling office). 

4. The designee reviews the letter for completeness and the job to make sure it is allowable. 

5. If all is in order, the designee issues the Working Papers. 

6. The minor provides the Working Papers to the employer. 

7. The employer keeps the Working Papers on file until 2 years after the minor turns 18.

Required information in a Promise of Employment letter A Promise of Employment must include: 

• The physical (street) address where the minor will be working (unless included on the company letterhead). 

• Hourly wage as a dollar amount at or above current minimum wage. 

• The specific job(s) or task(s) to be performed (no vague terms such as ‘cleaning’). 

• Maximum number of hours per week (as a number) the minor could be asked to work. 

• Name, contact information and signature of an authorized company official/manager.

Employers can get a standard Promise of Employment at the CT DOL website here:   https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/wgwkstnd/minors/Promise%20of%20Employment%202021.pdf