Where do most felons work?

Asked by: Walker Mitchell  |  Last update: January 29, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (43 votes)

Most felons find work in industries with high demand for labor and lower barriers to entry, such as food service, construction, manufacturing, landscaping, transportation, and retail/warehousing, with many employers focusing on a strong work ethic and relevant skills over past offenses, though some skilled trades and tech roles are also accessible.

What jobs are felons most likely to get?

12 highest-paying jobs for people with criminal records

  • Digital marketer. ...
  • Freelance designer. ...
  • Painter. ...
  • Maintenance worker. ...
  • Entrepreneur. ...
  • Web developer. ...
  • Truck driver. ...
  • Barber.

What jobs hire felons in AZ?

In Arizona, many companies hire felons, especially in sectors like construction, hospitality, warehousing, logistics, retail, and service industries, with resources like Arizona@Work connecting job seekers with employers such as UPS, Progressive Roofing, Safeway, and various hotel chains; focus on jobs in labor, cleaning, maintenance, and skilled trades, leveraging local employment centers and online platforms like Indeed and ZipRecruiter for "felony-friendly" listings. 

What's the best trade for a felon?

Lot of skilled trade jobs like construction, welding, landscaping, electrician, plumber, pipefitter and gas fitter will hire felons which you can find on indeed and Craigslist along with in person job site. Also truck driving too. Even restraunts and slaughterhouses along with meat packing plants.

Will McDonald's hire a felon?

McDonald's does hire convicted felons, but each case is evaluated individually. Factors such as the offense type, the time since the conviction, and the applicant's rehabilitation efforts are considered during the hiring process.

Top 5 Felon Friendly Jobs | How to Find Felon-Friendly Employment | Work from Home Jobs for Felons

41 related questions found

Who hires former felons?

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.

Does Walmart hire felons?

Yes, Walmart does hire people with felony records, but it's on a case-by-case basis, depending heavily on the nature and age of the crime; violent, theft, and financial felonies are usually disqualifying, especially if recent, while older, non-violent offenses are more likely to be overlooked. While some sources suggest a strict "no felons" policy, many employees and managers confirm that Walmart considers factors like the time since conviction and the relevance of the crime to the job. 

What jobs can felons not get?

While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse. 

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $3,000 a month without a degree in roles like skilled trades (electrician, HVAC tech), healthcare support (dental/medical assistant), specialized driving (UPS, Amazon), sales, or through remote work in areas like tech support or content creation, often requiring short training programs, apprenticeships, certifications, or strong soft skills for success, with opportunities in both in-person and remote settings. 

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist. 

How do I find a job if I have a felony?

Here are a few tips:

  1. Contact a community organization. ...
  2. Use multiple ways to connect with employers. ...
  3. Tell employers about the Federal Bonding Program. ...
  4. See if you qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit It gives tax discounts to employers who hire someone with a criminal record or another barrier to employment.

Does Amazon hire felons in AZ?

Individual circumstances are critical. Amazon does not exclude felons from applying or working for the company.

What is the easiest job but pays good?

The "easiest" high-paying jobs often involve leveraging existing skills in sales (insurance broker, real estate agent), tech (virtual assistant, remote IT support), skilled trades (electrician, HVAC technician), or by focusing on deliverables in remote roles, but ease is subjective; roles like massage therapist, claims adjuster, or social media manager offer good pay with less traditional academic requirements or physical strain for some, while sales/commission-based roles can offer high income once established.
 

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Earning $2000 daily often involves high-skill freelancing (consulting, specialized writing), high-ticket sales, advanced digital marketing (SEO, funnel building), or specialized gig economy work (luxury pet care, event services), with some paths like content creation or e-commerce taking significant time to scale; quick cash might come from selling valuable items or intense gig work (Uber, TaskRabbit, Rover), while long-term potential lies in building assets like courses or membership sites. 

What state is most felon friendly?

The most friendly state for felons is Vermont, where no felons are disenfranchised and no voting restrictions. In the US, there are 5.17 million people disenfranchised due to a felony conviction. There are 2 million people in prisons around the US.

Who makes $30 an hour without a degree?

Many skilled trades (electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, welders), tech roles (IT support, data analysts), healthcare support (PT assistants, sonographers), and logistics/transportation (truck drivers, distribution managers, air traffic controllers) offer $30/hour or more without a traditional degree, often requiring certifications, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training. Roles in sales (real estate), finance (loan officers, underwriters), and specialized services (elevator mechanics, home inspectors) also provide pathways to this wage. 

How many hours do I need to work to make $3,000 a month?

If you're earning $3,000 per month, your hourly wage is about $17.31 . To calculate this, divide your monthly salary by the average number of working hours per month, typically around 173 hours (based on 21.67 workdays x 8 hours per day).

What jobs pay $1000 a week without a degree?

Average $1000 per week without a college degree jobs

  • Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level. ...
  • Financial Advisor (Career Changers Welcome/Training Provided) ...
  • Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level. ...
  • CNO Software Engineer - Early Career. ...
  • Speech Language Pathologist. ...
  • Speech Language Pathologist. ...
  • Physical Therapist in Visalia, CA.

Do most companies hire felons?

YES: N=79 62% of employers reported that they have knowingly hired a person with a felony. NO: N=49 38% of employers said that they had not ever hired a person with a felony or that they did not know if they had hired a person with a felony. * Some employers reported that they couldn't remember the type of conviction.

What are red flags on a background check?

Red flags on a background check are inconsistencies or negative findings like criminal history (especially violent or financial crimes), employment/education discrepancies (lying about degrees or dates), poor credit, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media that raise concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role. Major red flags include criminal records, dishonesty, financial irresponsibility (for financial roles), and substance abuse issues.
 

What is the best degree for a felon to get?

Some degrees, like those in construction management, culinary arts, or IT, are often considered among the best degrees for felons due to fewer licensing barriers and strong employment opportunities.

What will fail a Walmart background check?

Walmart disqualifies candidates for serious, recent crimes (theft, violence, fraud, drugs), falsifying applications, poor driving records for driving roles, and active warrants, but may overlook older, non-relevant offenses, with decisions made case-by-case, focusing on safety, integrity, and honesty. Felonies, especially recent ones, are major red flags, but some felons get hired if their records show rehabilitation, while lying on applications leads to immediate rejection. 

What rights do felons have?

A felony conviction in California leads to the loss of critical rights. Felons cannot vote, serve on a jury or own firearms. Employment opportunities may also be limited, and traveling abroad becomes more difficult. California does not have as many restrictions on convicts' constitutional rights as other states.

How do I explain a felony on a job app?

It is up to you, but we recommend honesty. On the application, write ”will discuss in interview” rather than a lengthy explanation of past convictions. In an interview, keep explanations brief, and stress what you have learned from your conviction and time in prison, how you have changed, and your skills or assets.