For teens 16 and 17
Get paid at 16 for learning a career
At 16 you can earn money in jobs that actually lead somewhere: a paid youth apprenticeship, a summer jobs program, a paid co-op through your school's career tech program, or a starter job like nurse aide or auto service helper. Michigan's minimum wage is $13.73 an hour, and employers can pay workers under 18 at least $11.67.
Last checked: October 2026.
Five ways to earn while you learn
1. A paid youth apprenticeship
What: a real job with training and a national credential at the end. Paid from day one, with raises as you learn. More than 8,400 young Michiganders were in one in 2024.
Next step: ask your CTE teacher or call Michigan Works! at 1-800-285-9675.
2. A summer jobs program
What: paid summer work set up for you. In Detroit, Grow Detroit's Young Talent pays $12.50 to $15 an hour for up to 120 hours in July and August. Sign-up was March to May in 2026. In Flint, the city runs a summer youth program for residents 16 to 19.
Next step: outside Detroit, ask Michigan Works! about youth summer jobs. GDYT
3. A paid co-op through CTE
What: juniors and seniors in a career tech program can be placed with a real employer, often paid, working about 10 hours a week or more. A signed training plan replaces the work permit.
Next step: ask your CTE teacher about work-based learning. What CTE is
4. Become a nurse aide (CNA)
What: 75 hours of training, a state test, then jobs paying a median of $19.03 an hour. There's no minimum age to train, and nursing homes that hire you may have to pay you back for training.
Next step: ask if your tech center's health program includes it. CNA guide
5. Start in auto
What: auto techs in Michigan earn a median of $26.02 an hour, and starters earn about $17. In high school you can earn ASE Entry-Level certifications. After, carmakers run paid college programs: Ford ASSET at Henry Ford College, GM ASEP at Macomb and Delta, Mopar CAP at Mott.
Next step: find automotive CTE at your county tech center.
Bonus: heavy equipment
What: Operating Engineers Local 324 has a direct-entry apprenticeship for CTE grads who took construction, line worker or heavy equipment programs.
Next step: take one of those programs junior or senior year. OE 324
The rules for working at 16 and 17
- Hours during school: up to 24 a week, no more than 10 in a day and not past 10:30 p.m. (11:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and vacations).
- Summer: up to 48 hours a week.
- Breaks: 30 minutes after 5 hours in a row.
- Work permits moved online on Oct. 2, 2026. Your school doesn't issue them anymore. Your employer registers with the state, and you fill out the permit online through MiLogin.
- Pay: at least $11.67 an hour under 18 ($13.73 for adults), going up Jan. 1, 2027. New hires under 20 can be paid a lower training wage for the first 90 days.
For parents and counselors: sources
LEO, minimum wage · MCL 408.934 (85% rate for minors) · MCL 408.934b (training wage) · MCL 409.111 (hours) · MCL 409.112 (breaks) · LEO, new permit portal · Youth Apprenticeship Week, 2024 · LEO, apprenticeship · LEO, WIOA Youth · GDYT FAQ · Flint summer youth program, 2026 · MDE, paid work-based learning rules · MDE, work-based learning · ASE Entry-Level · HFC, Ford ASSET · Macomb, GM ASEP · Delta, GM ASEP · Mott, Mopar CAP · BLS, May 2025 (auto tech median $26.02, 10th percentile $17.36)
Students in state-approved CTE placements are covered by a training agreement instead of a work permit, and an adult must be present at all times.
Common questions
How many hours can a 16 year old work in Michigan during school?
Up to 24 hours a week while school is in session, no more than 10 hours in a day and not between 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. (11:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and vacations).
Source: MCL 409.111
How do teens get a work permit in Michigan now?
Since Oct. 2, 2026, permits are online. The employer registers with the state's Youth Employment Permit Portal and the teen completes the permit through MiLogin. Schools no longer issue permits.
Source: Michigan LEO