Quick answer
Jobs for Teens: Most Wichita teens can start working at 14. Under the federal rule that covers most employers, the hours are tightly limited until 16. For 16- and 17-year-olds, Kansas sets no hour restrictions.
The most organized way to get a first job is a youth program. Wichita has three, and all of them have application windows well before summer:
- The City’s The Way to Work (TWTW), for ages 14–17.
- The Workforce Alliance’s Youth Employment Project (YEP).
- The YMCA’s Job Prep, for ages 15–17.
Below you’ll find how each works, what Kansas allows, and what paperwork to gather.
What jobs can teens get in Wichita?
Ages 14–15. Federal rules limit 14- and 15-year-olds to non-manufacturing, non-hazardous jobs outside school hours. Typical categories are retail, food service, clerical work, and customer service. Not every employer hires at 14. Many set a company minimum of 15 or 16, and franchise locations decide for themselves.
Ages 16–17. The range widens. For example, YEP lists manufacturing placements as available for ages 16–19. Some hazardous occupations remain off-limits until 18.
Seasonal and special roles. Some Wichita employers set their own age floors. The Sedgwick County Zoo, for example, has posted seasonal roles with a 16-year minimum (events support) and 16 for interpretive roles. Its volunteer program accepts 14-year-olds for special events, which is unpaid but provides useful experience.
Industries YEP places youth in include banking or finance, clerical or office work, customer service or retail, food service or hospitality, healthcare, information technology, janitorial or maintenance, manufacturing and construction. Construction placements are mostly for 18 and older.
I could not verify minimum ages for specific restaurant or retail chains in Wichita. Treat any list that gives one age for a whole chain with caution, and check the posting or ask the manager.
Wichita youth employment programs
| Program | Ages | What it is | Key facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Way to Work (TWTW), City of Wichita | 14–17 | Summer youth work program | Youth must be 14 to 17 by June 1. The program has aimed to place 175 youth. For 2026, applications were posted in late December with a February deadline, and the program began May 26. Phone: 316-462-3700. |
| Youth Employment Project (YEP), Workforce Alliance | Workshops 14+; work experience 16+ | Workshops plus summer placements | Participants must be 16 by June 1 for work experience. Most placements run 20 hours a week or less and eight weeks or less and pay at least $7.25. |
| Job Prep, YMCA | 15–17 | Training plus summer job | A 12-week program starting each February, then a 10-week summer job period ending July 31. It is free, and transportation is provided. The Way to Work (TWTW) +7 |
Scale: In 2024, YEP reported serving 5,765 young adults and engaging 430 employers, so the pipeline is large.
YEP workshops are required before a work placement. They cover workplace etiquette, customer service, resume and interview skills, and financial literacy. Workshops are unpaid. Pay starts with the placement.
Where to go in person: the Wichita Workforce Center, 2021 N. Amidon, Suite 1100; phone 316-771-6800.
Kansas rules: hours, pay, permits and dangerous jobs
Hours for ages 14–15
Two sets of rules exist, and employers must follow the stricter one. Most employers are covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
| Federal FLSA (applies to most employers) | Kansas state notice (employers not covered by FLSA) | |
|---|---|---|
| School day | 3 hours max | 8 hours per day, 40 per week |
| School week | 18 hours max | (as above) |
| Non-school day/week | 8 hours a day, 40 a week | (as above) |
| Evening cutoff | 7 p.m., or 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day | 10 p.m. (with a school-night exception) www.keka.com +5 |
In practice, expect the federal numbers at most Wichita workplaces. Employers do get penalized. In one Kansas case, the U.S. Department of Labor assessed $41,998 in penalties after 50 teens aged 14 and 15 at Sonic locations worked beyond the allowed hours. Those locations were in Hutchinson, McPherson, and Newton, not Wichita, but the rules are the same.
Ages 16–17
There are no hour restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds under Kansas law. Some hazardous jobs are still barred for anyone under 18.
Pay
Kansas’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Under federal law, employers may pay workers under 20 a $4.25 hourly youth wage for the first 90 consecutive calendar days. The City of Wichita ran TWTW at $7.45 an hour in 2017. That is a historical figure, so check the current posting. Kansas Minimum Wage 2026: $7.25 per Hour, Tipped $2.13 +2
Work permits (sources disagree)
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Some compliance sites say only 14- and 15-year-olds not enrolled in or attending secondary school need a permit. Others say permits are not required. Ask the employer or the Kansas Department of Labor before assuming either way.
Dangerous work
No one under 18 may work in occupations the U.S. Secretary of Labor has declared hazardous, with limited exceptions (Kansas Department of Labor notice). Construction is a common example. Federal guidance puts construction sites completely off-limits to 14- and 15-year-olds.
Documents you need
YEP lists what it requires, and the list is a good template for any first job:
- Ages 14–17: an unexpired picture ID and a birth certificate.
- All applicants: a Social Security card, signed by you.
- A Kansas birth certificate costs $20 per certified copy. A first Social Security card is free and takes about 7–10 business days.
Order missing documents early. The Social Security card is often the slow one.
When to apply
Planning backward from June:
- December–February: TWTW and YMCA Job Prep windows (confirm dates each year).
- March–June: YEP workshops. YEP advises registering by June 1, and sooner is better.
- June–August: most summer hiring and placements.
I could not find published 2027 dates. Check each program’s page this winter.
How to find and apply for a job
- Get documents in order. See above.
- Create a KANSASWORKS account. YEP requires a KANSASWORKS account plus the YEP registration.
- Apply to a program first. TWTW, YEP, and Job Prep give you training and a placed job.
- Apply directly to employers that fit your age. Ask in person when you can, and say your school schedules up front.
- Check your availability against the hour limits. If you’re 14 or 15, a school-week job tops out at 18 hours.
Common mistakes
- Assuming one age fits a whole chain. Franchises set their own rules.
- Ignoring the school-night hour limits when accepting a shift.
- Waiting until June to look for a summer job.
- Relying on job-board results that mix in adult-only listings.
- Treating training wages as the norm. The $4.25 rate is allowed for the first 90 days, but it is a ceiling on how low pay can go, not a standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age to work in Wichita?
Generally 14 for non-farm jobs under federal law. Some employers set their own minimum at 15 or 16.
How many hours can a 15-year-old work in Kansas?
At most, employers can require 3 hours on a school day and 18 in a school week, with an evening cutoff of 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day). The numbers come from federal law, which is stricter than Kansas’s own notice.
Do 16-year-olds have hour limits?
No, Kansas has no hour restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds.
What is the minimum wage for teens in Wichita?
$7.25. Employers may pay under-20 workers $4.25 for their first 90 consecutive calendar days.
Is there a city summer job program?
Yes. The City of Wichita runs The Way to Work for ages 14–17, with applications that open in winter.
Do I need a work permit?
Sources conflict. Ask your employer or the Kansas Department of Labor.
Where can I get help in person?
The Wichita Workforce Center, 2021 N. Amidon, Suite 1100.
Conclusion
Start with documents, then apply to TWTW, Job Prep, or YEP months before summer. Use direct applications as your backup. Whatever you take, confirm the posted hours against the rules for your age.