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Federal law sets what minimum age for jobs declared particularly hazardous?

Hazardous jobs require workers to be 18.

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  1. 16
  2. 18 ✔
  3. 14

Why: The Secretary of Labor can declare an occupation particularly hazardous for minors. For those jobs, federal law sets an 18 year minimum age.

Huh, didn't know that: A parent can employ their own child in many jobs, but not in hazardous occupations or manufacturing and mining.

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References

Answer: 18. The Secretary of Labor can declare an occupation particularly hazardous for minors. For those jobs, federal law sets an 18 year minimum age.

  1. 29 CFR 570.2 (Cornell LII) www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/570.2
    sets an 18-year minimum age with respect to employment in any occupation found and declared by the Secretary of Labor to be particularly hazardous
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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