What state has the most jobs for felons?

Asked by: Zachary Ritchie II  |  Last update: April 29, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (57 votes)

While no single state definitively has the most jobs, California, Colorado, New York, and Texas are frequently cited as having more opportunities for felons due to strong "fair chance hiring laws" (like California's Fair Chance Act) and proactive city initiatives, making it easier for individuals with criminal records to get hired by limiting early background checks and promoting individualized assessments. Other states like Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington also show promise.

What state hires the most felons?

These Are the States Most Likely to Hire Former Felons

  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Kansas.
  • Maryland.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Montana.
  • Nevada.
  • New Hampshire.

Where can a person with a felony find a job?

You will have to check out their hiring website, do the research and follow the application process like normal.

  • • Aamco. • Ace Hardware. • Allied Van Lines. ...
  • • Chipotle. • Cintas. • Community Education Centers. ...
  • • Hilton Hotels. • Home Depot. • IBM. ...
  • • U-Haul. • US Steal Corporation. ...
  • • Golden Corral. • Great Clips.

How difficult is it for a convicted felon to get a job?

Yes, getting a job with a felony conviction is often harder due to stigma, legal restrictions in certain fields (like healthcare, education, finance), and employer concerns about risk, but it's not impossible; success often hinges on the felony's nature, how long ago it was, "Ban the Box" laws, and proactive strategies like knowing your record, highlighting transferable skills, and seeking fair-chance employers. 

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $10,000 a month without a degree in high-skill trades (elevator tech, electrician), sales (solar, real estate, insurance), specialized trucking (owner-operator), tech roles (web dev, drone pilot), or by starting your own business/freelancing in areas like content creation or digital marketing, often requiring specialized training, certifications, or strong commission-based performance rather than a traditional degree. 

How Can I Get A Job As A Convicted Felon?

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What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Earning $2,000 daily usually involves high-income skills or scaling businesses, with options like specialized freelancing (consulting, web design, high-ticket sales), digital products (courses, printables), e-commerce (dropshipping, flipping), or high-demand gig work (AI training, specialized rentals), often requiring significant upfront effort or existing expertise to reach that level quickly, with some options taking months or years to become consistent. 

What jobs cannot hire felons?

They're typically restricted from credentials for occupations in the Department of Public Health's jurisdiction or in real estate, the distribution of drugs or pharmaceuticals, pest control, embalming and insurance sales.

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks are typically for high-security government roles (like Top Secret clearance), involving deep dives into finances, criminal history, personal references, and lifestyle, often requiring interviews with associates; these are far more stringent than standard employment checks and focus on trustworthiness for sensitive information access, extending to personal habits, foreign contacts, and potential vulnerabilities.
 

Why does no one hire felons?

Some occupations, such as those involving contact with children, are legally closed to people with felony convictions. And employers may be legally liable for the crimes committed by employees and so be wary of hiring those who already have a record.

What's the best trade for a felon?

While getting a job depends on various factors, some industries are more open to hiring individuals with a record: Construction and skilled trades: Carpenters, plumbers, welders, and electricians are in demand, and employers often focus on skills and experience.

Which states are most lenient on crime?

  • New Hampshire. #1 in Crime & Corrections. #2 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Maine. #2 in Crime & Corrections. ...
  • Hawaii. #3 in Crime & Corrections. ...
  • Vermont. #4 in Crime & Corrections. ...
  • Massachusetts. #5 in Crime & Corrections. ...
  • Rhode Island. #6 in Crime & Corrections. ...
  • Utah. #7 in Crime & Corrections. ...
  • Connecticut. #8 in Crime & Corrections.

Do most jobs hire felons?

The truth is that some companies hire many people with a record. They look for people who have the skills and abilities to do the work, even if they have a criminal record. Others may be afraid that people who have criminal records won't be good workers.

Does Dollar Tree hire felons?

Will dollar tree hire me if I'm a felon? You should be fine. You may run into problems if you apply for any management positions. Yes, Dollar Tree now does a background check so if you have any convictions, you will not pass the background check.

Can I get hired at Amazon if I have a felony?

Yes, Amazon does hire people with felony convictions, but it's on a case-by-case basis, depending on the crime's nature, how long ago it was, and the specific job's requirements, with older, non-violent offenses often viewed more favorably than recent, serious ones, though theft or violent felonies can be disqualifying, especially for roles requiring high trust or driving. 

Can you work for USPS with a felony?

It is Postal Service policy to evaluate the employability of each applicant with a criminal conviction record individually. The fact that an applicant has a criminal conviction record is not sufficient to disqualify that applicant from postal employment.

What looks bad on a background check?

Things that look bad on a background check include criminal records (especially job-related offenses), significant inconsistencies on resumes (like falsified degrees or job titles), frequent job hopping, unexplained employment gaps, poor credit (for financial roles), negative social media activity (hate speech, unprofessionalism), and failed drug/driving tests, all suggesting dishonesty, instability, or risk to the employer. 

What is the 10 second rule in an interview?

The "10-second rule in an interview" refers to two main concepts: the first impression you make upon entering (appearance, greeting, confidence) and the time it takes for a recruiter to screen your resume (they often decide in under 10 seconds). It also applies to the silence during the interview, where interviewers should wait 10 seconds before rescuing a candidate who pauses, allowing them time to think, while candidates should aim to deliver clear, impactful information quickly. 

Which state has the least strict background checks?

Montana has no law regulating consideration of criminal record in public or private employment, including the limits on application-stage inquiry by public employers that most other states have adopted.

What are red flags on a background check?

Red flags on a background check are discrepancies or concerning findings like criminal records (especially violent, financial, or drug-related), significant inconsistencies in employment/education history, poor credit history (for finance roles), negative references, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media activity, all raising concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role.
 

What jobs can you still get with a criminal record?

People with criminal records can find jobs in sectors like food service, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance/janitorial services, with large companies like Home Depot, FedEx, and McDonald's often being "felony-friendly," while specialized platforms like Honest Jobs connect job seekers with "fair-chance" employers and essential resources for housing, transportation, and support.
 

What is the best degree for a felon?

The best degrees for felons often lead to jobs with fewer licensing hurdles, strong demand, and opportunities for entrepreneurship, with top fields including Skilled Trades (HVAC, Electrical, Automotive), Technology (IT, Computer Science), Business/Marketing, and Culinary Arts, plus Vocational Studies for quick entry; fields like Social Work also offer paths to helping others. Focusing on practical skills, high-demand roles, and industries less reliant on traditional credentials (like tech and trades) provides flexibility and stronger hiring prospects. 

How to make $100,000 a year with no degree?

You can earn $100k+ without a degree through high-demand skilled trades (electrician, plumber, elevator technician, heavy equipment operator), tech roles (software development, IT management, cybersecurity), specialized fields (air traffic controller, commercial pilot, sales), and entrepreneurship, relying on certifications, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and experience instead of a traditional degree. 

Will Amazon really pay you to work from home?

Yes, Amazon pays people to work from home in various roles, primarily in customer service, tech support, and corporate functions, with pay varying by position, experience, and location, often including benefits like health insurance and 401(k) for full-time roles, though warehouse jobs are generally not remote. 

What jobs pay $3,000 a day?

Jobs paying $3,000 a day usually involve high-level skills, business ownership, or specialized fields like top-tier sales, medicine (surgeons, anesthesiologists), niche consulting, or running successful online businesses/agencies, often requiring significant experience or capital, with some high-commission roles or specialized trades also reaching this level in metropolitan areas.