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What is the age we can hire teenagers?

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At what age can we hire teenage workers? Is it 14, 15 or 16?

This is a matter of state law, generally. Every state has different laws pertaining to Child Labor. Some states require work permits or certificates of age for every employee under 18. Others do not require them for any worker. Federal law, specifically the Fair Labor Standards Act of FLSA, sets a number of limits on the employment of youth. The federal law severely restricts the hours that an employee under the age of 16 can work, and limits the type of jobs. The federal law also prohibits people age 16 to 18 from holding certain jobs that are considered hazardous, like being roofers. For more on the federal Child Labor laws, go to this site: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/agerequirements.htm

When both a state and a federal Child Labor law apply, the young person is covered under the most restrictive one. For example, federal law permits 15-year-olds to work as grocery baggers for a limited number of hours per week. However, some states prohibit such employment. In those states, it would be illegal for an employer to hire a 15-year-old grocery bagger.

Because of the restrictions on Child Labor, many employers simply do not hire employees under the age of 16, 18 or even 21.

For more specific information on Child Labor laws, post another question mentioning your state.