Last Updated: 03/05/2026
If you have a felony on your record and you’re thinking about applying to Costco, this guide gives you realistic answers, no hype, no false promises.
Costco can be a really good opportunity because the pay is strong and there are lots of warehouse roles that don’t require advanced credentials. The tradeoff is Costco is more standardized and competitive than most retailers, and hiring can feel less “manager-flexible” than other employers.
Quick Answer
Yes, Costco can hire people with felony convictions, but it’s usually more selective and much more difficult than other employers.
Keep these realities in mind when applying to Costco.
- Costco is a corporate-operated warehouse retailer, so hiring tends to follow more consistent processes than franchise-style businesses.
- Costco will collect information from or through background checks (and drug tests) during hiring.
- Theft/fraud, recent violence, and sex offenses are typically the hardest categories—especially for cash-handling, membership desk, or leadership roles.
- Older, non-violent convictions are generally more workable if you show stability since (work history, references, clean time, consistent behavior).
Costco Felon-Friendly Score™
32/ 50 — Moderate (Good Pay + Real Jobs, But More Selective)
Costco scores well on wages and career stability, but lower on “second-chance flexibility” because hiring is more structured and competitive than most entry-level retail.
| Category | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Industry Type (Warehouse Retail) | 8/10 | Many openings, but standards are higher than most retailers. |
| Store-Level Flexibility | 6/10 | Corporate-operated process = more consistent, sometimes less flexible. |
| Background Check Impact | 6/10 | Background screening may be part of hiring; results can matter by role. |
| Role Sensitivity (Cash/Membership/Assets) | 7/10 | Membership + cash + high-value goods can increase scrutiny. |
| Second Chance Practicality | 5/10 | If you target the right roles and present well, it can work. |
Alt text: “Costco Felon-Friendly Score meter showing 34 out of 50 with HelpForFelons.org watermark.”
How Costco Hiring Actually Works (No Fluff)
Costco hiring is usually process-driven and role-specific.
- Apply online → warehouse reviews applicants (availability matters a lot).
- Interview focuses on reliability + pace (can you work weekends, early mornings, and stay consistent?).
- Background check authorization + screening will follow. Costco’s applicant privacy notice explicitly lists info collected via background checks (and, if applicable, drug tests) as part of hiring-related information.
- Best real-world move: apply for roles where your record is least “job-related” (stocking, cart crew, receiving support) before aiming for cash-handling or leadership.
Does Costco Run Background Checks?
Yes, Always. Costco’s Job Applicant Privacy Notice says they may collect information from third parties when you authorize it, including references and background checks, and it lists background check results (and, if applicable, drug tests) among information collected.
State Laws and Background Check Rules for Costco
State laws about background checks can affect what an employer can ask and when they can ask it.
Why that matters to you:
- Some state laws limit how far back a criminal record search can go, often seven years. There are many nuances to this though.
- Some States have laws prohibiting you from having to disclose your felony recorded until after your interview. Also called Ban The Box laws.
- Don’t assume you need to tell them about your felony. Do the research about any local or state laws regarding criminal records and employers.
What Positions Are More Felon-Friendly at Costco?
More Flexible Positions (Start Here)
- Stocker / Merchandising (morning or night crew)
- Cart crew
- Maintenance / janitorial
- Receiving support / dock helper (where available)
- Bakery/food production support (varies)
More Sensitive / Harder Positions to Get
- Cashier
- Membership / refunds desk
- Asset protection (Please do not apply for this)
- Supervisor/management (until you’ve built trust and time)
What Convictions May Will Cause Problems?
These often create the biggest hurdles (not always automatic disqualification, but harder):
- Recent theft/fraud/embezzlement (especially for cash/membership roles)
- Recent violent felonies
- Sex offenses
- Open cases / unresolved court issues
- Restrictions that conflict with scheduling (probation/parole limits)
What Should I Say in a Costco Interview If I Have a Felony?
Nothing unless asked. In our experience Costco does not ask during the interview phase but if ever asked, keep it short and forward focused:
“I made a mistake in the past, took responsibility, and I’ve been consistent since then. I’m dependable, I show up, and I’m ready to work.”
Then immediately pivot to:
- weekends/early shifts
- reliable transportation
- warehouse pace comfort
- willingness to start in stocking/carts/maintenance
Costco Pay Scale (Typical Ranges 2026)
Costco pay varies by region and step progression, but here are realistic reference points. You can and should look at this pay range PDF from Costco.
- News reporting on Costco’s wage agreement indicates entry-level minimum around $20/hr, with bottom-of-scale clerks around $21/hr, and top-of-scale pay reaching the low $30s/hr, with scheduled increases.
- Market estimates commonly show many hourly roles in the high teens to low/mid $20s, varying by area and role.
Simple pay table (typical ranges)
| Position | Typical Pay (varies by market) |
|---|---|
| Cart Crew | $16 – $22/hr |
| Stocker / Merch | $17 – $24/hr |
| Cashier Assistant | $18 – $25/hr |
| Cashier | $18 – $28/hr (higher in expensive markets) |
| Specialized roles (meat cutter, pharmacy tech, etc.) | Often higher (role-dependent) |
Promotion Potential
Costco can be a real “career retail” path if you get in and stay reliable.
Common paths:
- Cart/Stock → Merch → Lead (where available) → Supervisor
- Assistant → Cashier → Front End Supervisor
- Bakery/Meat/Receiving → Specialist → Supervisor
Your best felony strategy is often: get in first → build trust → move up.
Industry Insight
Costco is different from most “easy hire” employers. They have:
- Better pay and stability than typical big-box retailers like Walmart or Sam’s Club.
- Often more selective up front because they can be (lots of applicants)
Denial Strategy
If you get denied do the following.
- Apply again for a different role if that was the issue.
- Try a different warehouse if you didn’t interview well.
- Build a 90-day proof block elsewhere (attendance + reference) then reapply
- Check your report for errors if you believe something is wrong (mistakes happen)
- Have your record expunged or sealed if possible.
Costco FAQ
Yes, especially if older and you apply for stocking/carts/maintenance jobs first.
Yes, always.
Stocking/merchandising, cart crew, and maintenance are usually the best starting points.
Sometimes, but this is one of the hardest categories at Costco because the business involves constant exposure to high-value inventory, membership transactions, and cash-handling roles. Your odds improve when the offense is older, you have a clean track record since, and you apply for roles that are least connected to money or member accounts. The most realistic starting points are typically stocking, carts, maintenance, or certain receiving support roles, because the day-to-day responsibilities are more operational and less financial.
Most likely not but we do have clear information about this. We will update when Costco gets back to us on this.
In many cases, yes, older convictions are more manageable, especially if you have a stable work history since and no new issues. Time is one of the biggest advantage factors because it signals reduced risk and gives you more room to show you’ve changed. That said, certain categories like serious violence, sex offenses, and repeated theft/fraud can remain difficult even when older, especially for sensitive roles.
The biggest improvements come from boring, practical proof: stable recent job history, references, reliable transportation, and open availability. If you can demonstrate that you will be the person who shows up every time, you become valuable in a warehouse environment. If you can’t change your record today, you can still change what it means by stacking evidence of stability. Then apply for roles where the record is least related to the job, follow up during non-rush times, and keep your explanation short if asked.
Other Employer Guides
- Does Family Dollar Hire Felons?
- Does Wendy’s Hire Felons?
- Does Burger King Hire Felons?
- Does Taco Bell Hire Felons?
- Does Subway Hire Felons?
- Does Olive Garden Hire Felons?
- Does Walmart Hire Felons?
- Does Waste Management Hire Felons?
Disclaimer
HelpForFelons.org is not affiliated with Costco Wholesale Corporation. Hiring decisions vary by location, role, and time, and this guide is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee employment.