---
title: "Maine Child Labor Laws for Family Businesses | Kids Payroll"
url: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/maine/
description: "Child labor laws in Maine: minimum working age, hour restrictions, work permit requirements, and family business exemptions for 2026."
lang: en
---

# Maine

Child Labor Laws for Family Businesses

Last updated: January 1, 2026

Min. Wage: $14.65/hr (2026)

Maine Department of Labor (https://www.maine.gov/labor)

### Family Business Exemptions Most Important

Exemptions Available

- If no hazardous machinery, minors are exempt from child labor laws for agricultural/farm work.
- Follows federal parental exemption for other work.

### Minimum Working Age

14 years old for most non-agricultural work.

Exceptions:

- No state minimum when employed by parent (follows federal parental exemption).

### Hours Restrictions

Under 14

- Generally may not work.

Ages 14-15

- Max 3 hrs on school days, 8 hrs on non-school days.
- Max 18 hrs during school weeks, 40 hrs during non-school weeks.
- Max 6 days/week.

Ages 16-17

- If in school: 10 hrs/day, 50 hrs/week non-school; 6 hrs/day, 24 hrs/week school.
- Up to 6 consecutive days.

### Nightwork Restrictions

### Permitted Job Types

### Work Permit Requirements

No Permits Required

- Age certificate not required.
- If agricultural work with no hazardous machinery, minors are exempt from child labor laws.

### Recordkeeping Requirements

### Key Considerations

This information is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state's Department of Labor (https://www.maine.gov/labor) and the U.S. Department of Labor (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/child-labor).

## Nearby States

NH New Hampshire: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/new-hampshire/
VT Vermont: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/vermont/
MA Massachusetts: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/massachusetts/

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  - Florida: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/florida/
  - Louisiana: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/louisiana/
  - Maine: https://kidspayroll.com/state-labor-laws/maine/

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- How to Pay Kids Through LLC: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/pay-kids-through-llc/
- Roth IRA for Kids: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/roth-ira-for-kids-rules/
- Tax-Free Payment Limits: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/pay-child-tax-free-2026/
- All Articles →: https://kidspayroll.com/blog/

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