Wyoming Child Labor Laws

Early Wyoming history reflects coal mining as an important industry.  In 1885, legislation was passed limiting the age of children from working in the mines to age 14, although parents often altered their birth certificate, so boys as young as five or six were sometimes employed there.

Child Labor Laws in Wyoming For Minors Under 14​

Wyoming Child Labor Law is administered by the Department of Employment and states that minors younger than 14 years of age may not work in order to protect their educational opportunities, health, and overall well-being.  Those under 14 may work in agriculture, which is exempt from child labor regulations in Wyoming.  They may also work in a family business or in domestic or lawn and yard care service.  Regulations restrict them from working more than eight hours in a 12 hour period unless working on a farm or in domestic service.

Child Labor Laws in Wyoming For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old

Minors 14 and 15 years old may work in certain areas with no work permit required.  They are currently allowed to work in the following areas:

  • Retail, Food Service, and Gasoline Service
  • State and Local Government
  • Banks
  • Insurance Companies
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Information Technology Firms
  • Computer Programming
  • Tutoring, Teaching Assistant, and Peer Counseling
  • Lifeguarding (15 year olds only)

They may not work in establishments which serve or sell alcohol for consumption.

Minors under the age of 18 are prohibited from working in the Hazardous Occupations listed below.

Wyoming Child Labor Law outlines restrictions for this age group, including:

When public school is in session:

  • No working during school hours
  • No more than three hours on school days
  • A maximum of eight hours on non-school days
  • A maximum of 18 hours per week
  • No earlier than 7am or later than 7pm
  • May not work more than eight hours in a 12 hour period

When public school is not in session:

  • No more than eight hours per day
  • A maximum of 40 hours per week
  • No earlier than 7am or later than 9pm between June 1 and Labor Day

May not work more than eight hours in a 12 hour period

Child Labor Laws in Wyoming For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old

Minors 16 and 17 may work in a variety of jobs without a work permit required. 

They may not work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption. 

Additionally, there is a Hazardous Occupations list from which all minors are restricted as follows:

  • Operation or Repair of Construction Equipment
  • Work with Explosives and Dangerous Chemicals
  • Acting/Performing in a Venue which Serves Alcohol
  • Coal Mining
  • Youth Peddling, especially on Street Corners or Subway Stations
  • Operation of Motor Vehicles
  • Use of Lawn Mowers, Trimmers, Cutters, or Edger’s
  • Operation of Golf Carts and All-Terrain Vehicles
  • Use of Food Slicers, Grinders, Choppers, processors, Cutters, or Mixers
  • Catching and Cooping Poultry
  • Manufacturing of Brick/Tile
  • Wrecking/Demolition
  • Roofing

Wyoming Child Labor Law outlines the restrictions for this age group as follows:

When public school is in session:

  • No working during school hours
  • No more than five hours on school days
  • A maximum of eight hours on non-school days
  • A maximum of 18 hours per week
  • May not work more than eight hours in a 12 hour period

When public school is not in session:

  • No more than eight hours per day
  • A maximum of 40 hours per week
  • No schedule restrictions, except may not work more than eight hours in a 12 hour period

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