As you may already know there are not as many careers for felons as you like but there are still a number of options. Many careers for felons have the opportunity for advancement, raises and the potential to move or transfer within the company you choose to work for.
Careers For Felons
Many felons become discouraged when applying for jobs because they are turned down time after time. There are several reasons that this happens; the most common reason is because you are applying to the wrong type of companies. Some companies will simply not consider a felon for a job or a career in that particular position. Below we will give you a list and information on which industries offer careers for felons most often.
1) Truck Driving Career
There are a ton of truck driving companies out there that will hire felons depending on what the type of felony and the length of time since the conviction. This can be a fairly high paying career with good benefits. Most truck drivers earn about $800 dollars per week and have very secure jobs. The downside to trucking is the amount of time that you will spend away from home. All in all this is a great career for felons.
We have several pages dedicated to getting a job as a truck driver.
2) Construction Companies
Construction is a great sector to work in if you are a felon looking for a career. Many construction companies are small and have many different positions. This will allow you to actually talk to the owner and show him your worth and skills. This is much better than dealing with a person that sits in a Human Resources office all day that has no clue about who you are.
The other great part about working in construction is that it allows you to learn a particular trade while earning money. This can allow you to possibly start your own business in the future if you so choose to. Remember to not just think about construction in general but all the trades and companies within that industry.
Some trades within the construction industry:
- Tile
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Welding
- Pipe Fitting
- Carpet
- HVAC
- Roofing
These are only a few of the niche industries within the construction trade. Roofing companies are almost always looking for people that are willing to work hard whether they are a felon or not. The great thing about construction is that you will get regular raises and move up if you put your time in. Learn more about construction jobs here.
3) Landscaping
This can be another great career choice for felons for several reasons. Like construction most landscape companies are small businesses which is a great thing because you will be able to talk directly with the owner. This will give you a huge advantage; the other reason it is a great career path for felons is because it is something you can do yourself with little to no training.
Even if you do not have anyone willing to hire you, you can always cut grass for customers. You can have flyers printed out and distributed for almost no cost. Offer a first time mow for a super low cost of about 10 dollars. If you do a great job most people will have you come back then you can charge them $15 or $20 dollars a mow. If you mow 5 yards a day, 5 days a week you will be making $500 a week minus costs, which are very minimal.
4) Fast Food Restaurants
Not really one of the best high paying careers for felons but it is still a job that will pay you. Many people will make a blanket statement about a particular chain saying that they will not hire felons but most of the time this is not true.
The vast majority of fast food chains are franchises. This means that each restaurant or small group of restaurants are owned by individuals rather than corporations. With that being said you may find a fast food restaurant that hires felons on one side of town while the same brand on the other side of town does not. There is some room for advancement in these types of jobs but it can take awhile to move up. Remember that some restaurants may be felon friendly while others are not so apply to everyone possible.
Restaurants that may hire felons:
5) Drilling and Oil Companies
There are many small drilling companies out there that will hire felons. This can be one of the better careers for felons because of the high pay. The down side is that it is dirty hard work and you have to live in the right area to find a job doing this type of work.
This is the best list of land drilling companies.
6) Newspaper Contractor
Most large newspapers contract out their delivery to individuals. For the most part the day of paperboys is over. These jobs start very early in the morning (about 3 AM). You go to the newspaper printing house, pick up about 400 papers and deliver them to houses that are on your list. The pay is typically only about 200 dollars a week but most do not do a background check or anything. The other downside is that this is a seven day a week job and Sunday papers are very bulky and heavy.
Indeed is a great place to search for newspaper delivery contractor jobs.
7) Temp Agencies
Temp agencies can be a great option for felons to find a career. Why? Because temp agencies work with a large number and a wide variety of different employers. This means that there is a good chance that the temp agency may have a employer that does not require a background check. Some jobs may not be the best but it is possible to find a good career through a temp agency. See our list of felon friendly temp agencies here.
8) Work from Home/Online Careers
There are a number of real jobs that can be worked from the comfort of your home. We have an entire page dedicated to legit online careers for felons.
9) Self Employment
Becoming self employed and having your own business doesn’t have to be expensive. We have many low cost start up ideas, some even won’t cost you a penny.
- Freelancing – Upwork connects freelance workers with employers, NO background checks!
- Self Employment Ideas – See a list of ideas and low cost start ups.
I got into HVAC in a small town as a woman and it’s been more heartbreak cause it’s hard and now I am trying to get grants to go back to school yet again. Any ideas? I am book smart but not so much for hands on
What about higher paying jobs in plants? What degrees are good for that where they
There are a TON of opportunities for ex felons (I am one myself)… If you are brainy, go back to school for something that interest you! You would have a higher chance of getting hired if you have a degree or a certificate in something after your release.
If you are good with your hands, there are trades that pay good enough for you to be independent and stable.
I myself have a 2009 felony for ATT. ROBBERY and I am about to attend a vocational school to be an electrician..
After that I’ll drive trucks and save money to invest in other money making ideas!!! REMEMBER: YOU CAN ONLY GO AS HIGH AS YOU THINK.. SO THINK BIG!!!!!
Hello, your story is inspiring. I myself a female, with breaking and entering with intenet to commit a crime. I’m going right now as I speak to get my GED. I had to drop out to take of my mother who was ill. A lot of other things happened. I got on drugs, got off and was with a group of people who broke into a unoccupied building and because they wrote statements I was convicted. Now, I have enough time to go to college before I go in front of the judge to get my record for that county in Ohio expunged. What can I do until then? I have experience in serving and waiting tables. I also have some shitty tattoos and no facial piercings. I live in mid-Ohio by Ashland Ohio. I do not have a drivers license I never have. I can only work on one thing at a time. Your help is greatly appreciated. AnnaMarie
Annamarie,
I am trying to start a business in Medina that will cater to women like yourself. Stay in touch!
im interested in learning electrical
i know some basic electrical i need to find a training program so i can have a certificate
Thank you
Can you please email me about some good ideas to start off with? I’ve been looking for a job since I came home on Nov. 24, 2013. I’ve done side jobs in different aspects of industries. My email is [email protected]. Please help me
Isn’t risky to go back to school. Not knowing whether or not you will be hire you onice you receive your trade or degree…
Hi there my husband was charged with “attempting to obtain a narcotic by fraudulent means” in 2009. He can not get a job he is now a uncontrolled Diabetic an can not stand on his feet as he cant feel them. Medically he can not do the jobs that people expect a felon to do, and I have a rare brain condition and i cant work. Before he his went to jail he worked at CITI bank in collections and he did great we could make it. I am unsure of what to do and he seems to think why keep trying?
things happen I life you have a story to tell america it could be a best seller if you truly believe in yourself things will have postive change.
Ain’t that the truth Tim, I try not to boast of my story. I am significantly blessed to be here! Most days aren’t the best, but life goes on. – I have a TBI, and not able to work myself. Much less, take care of my own finances, or have my own money. I don’t understand that the most, being that I am a compitent adult
Try appliance repair or advertising and graphic design
I am a felon all I can say don’t give up don’t let prison make you or break you. We all make mistakes only thing we got caught. If a person can look at you or in regular conversation can tell you been to prison something wrong and you should work on that.
Hey everyone im a felon like most on here i was 17 n 2009 when i caught(F.3 robbery) case i did 5 yrs in prison an still currently on 15 yrs probation. Im 25 now i have my G.E.D an HVAC/R EPA universal certification i am lost on trying to find a job pursuing my career. Im in Cincinnati,OH i currently have a job i dnt enjoy an dont make that much money. Im jus wondering if i could get guidance to pursue my HVAC Career.
Check into your local HVAC Union Apprenticeship program. They will accept you, even with your felony and you will spend the next 4-5 years making good money to learn a skilled trade! When you top out to journeyman status, you will make 30+ an hour and will have all necessary skills to complete the tasks given. Best of luck to you!
My name is Jason I’m 36 went to federal prison did just over 5yrs . I got out early with the drug program . When I got out it was tuff and I ended up taking a job at a. Felony factory manual labor . I did that job for 3 months until I got out the halfway house . I hated that job but then I found another better paying job as a deli cook with some perks. I took the bus 3 hours to work and 3 hours back home. I kid you not.. Then I ended up running into a friend. Who was a dispatcher for a Cab company. For two years straight I worked that job Never missed pro I had more personal request than the dispatcher had calls coming in. I presented myself the best I could to each person I came in contact with, I offered. Water newspapers and. Cellphone chargers and snacks. I put in a lot of hours but made over 47k. A lot of that was cash over credit and debit. I also work as a Chaufuer and designated driver . You guys got think outside the box always present yourself well , be versatile because doors do open and obesity action can be the road to a better one.. Stay hungery even when you make it, I got comfortable and almost fell down but I’m back now. Once you get off paper stay off paper .
Damn it’s so freaking hard to find a job that that says that really means no discrimination against your pass I am a single mother who crying out for help I have been praying and applying every where and yet I get knocked down each time it’s almost making me feel suicidal but I know I have to be here for my beautiful child
I’m in the same shoes. I believe it’s easier for men who are felons then females? I have a Bas in psychology and I was wrongfully found guilty of a felony assault of a “peace” officer.
I’m a single mom with a very limited support system… and I did not do prison time so do not qualify for reentry programs.
I’m losing faith…
I feel like you do. I did my time learned from it, now starting a business is the only way I’m ever going to be able to make it. Forget getting a degree and a solid career. That’s out . as felons we are the Most discriminate against minority. I look at the list of jobs offerd to felons it looks like the only thing let will offer you is a back breaking kids job even with a masters your sunk. Im 36 have 2 herniated disks had a broken back that is causing me all kinds of problem now. These type of jobs are not helpful. Though I do have gainful employment I care about all these other people that can’t get work. We need to for a coalition and fire this discrimination in court.
I spent one year in prison on a2ND degree larceny charge. Already completed a 5 year probation, with the terms of staying employed and paying back restitution during that five years. I knew I had to find something. I was a shift leader at Dunkin Donuts before I left to go to prison. When I got out I was told no to every place I applied. I did not want to go back to Dunkin Donuts Making minimum wage again. But I did. I stayed there another nine years. The fast food industry does hire felons. I had to humble myself and take the lesser of a job just to have an income. My suggestion in this kind of job is to stay a length of time. Be an excellent top notch employee who masters the duties you are assigned to. Learn as much as you can. Be valuable. Then at that point you will have slot to go on to demand a raise every year. I was getting and asking for raises every year. My income still wasn’t great but was increasing every year. It was enough for me to pay my bills buy a car pay restitution, and meet the requirements of staying employed. Mind you I had to except I never had money to spend on anything. But always had enough to pay my rent and a roof over my head. I got smart and went outside of the district to another Dunkin Donuts, 5 towns away, got a job there too. Was working at both Dunkin Donuts. That second job gave me money in my pocket. I couldn’t find any place that would hire me. So I took what I had and made it work and made it happen. But bottom line is this take anything you can get, STAY AT THAT JOB FOR MANY YEARS. JUST THE LONGEVITY ALONE AT ONE JOB FOR YEARS WILL MAKE THE NEXT PLACE THAT YOU WANT TO WORK HIRE YOU. When I decided to feature away from Dunkin Donuts after Nine Years if working there, I put together my resume, and applied to one place, two hours later I got a phone call from them. Next day had an interview was hired on the spot. They were impressed with my loyalty to Dunkin Donuts for nine years. They hired me because of that. This company is a medical supply company, in which, I have been at for 1and half years now. My income has increased, they started me out with way more money then I was making at Dunkin. They offer all the benefits you could want too. Start at the bottom if you have to build a report it will pay off down the road. I hope this advice has been of some help to you, and others just getting out of prison.
Same here
price?
That’s an awesome story!! So really, running into your friend is what led to driving for a living and making decent money. In today’s job market, more than 75% of jobs are gotten through word-of-mouth. You should share your story as much as you can – and congratulations!! Truly happy for you!
Jason: Have a good friend working with me now, he did RDAP, great program, at Beaumont. I’d like to speak with you. My email: [email protected]
Jason … congratulations, I’m proud of your accomplishments which come from your desire and drive. I have a very good friend who completed the RDAP program at Beaumont, he’s been out almost two years, doing well, working with me. I ran across this opportunity driving Uber … it’s changed my life. Talk about ground floor, this is Microsoft in the garage … destined to be as big. Email if you would like the link to an ABC Prime Time Investigative report … total validation. [email protected]
I was convicted of attempted murder at thirteen sentenced to two years t.d.c. winded up doing four came home at 17 needed money and sold some dope made lots of money got busted sentenced to 4 years did five came home a felon and started a family thank the lord for strength and will I found some hard jobs that really messed me up from mover to warehouse, construction, plumbing and oilfield I almost died three days into my oilfield career and am glad to be alive the sad truth is the only good paying job is the one we fight for don’t be afraid to apply just do it the worst they can say is no and then you keep trying each job I’ve had as a free man in Texas I got through day labor I showed up busted my but and got hired on every job they ever sent me to I made them want to hire me show what your made of my brothers there’s no limit to what we can achieve and obtain get what you need out of this life its there just grab it good luck to you all and if you wish to reply do so ..I am happy to help any one of you we all deserve the best …except pedophiles don’t bother contacting me I promise it won’t end well for you and I’m talking Chester the molester type not drunk sex type …hit me up ..
I have to felonies and can’t even get a job as a cashier in my area because I have a theft charge and burglary. I’ve also been denied multiple different colleges. I don’t know how they expect me to create a better life when every time I do I’m denied because of charges from 4 years ago. What do I do? I can’t go jobless. I also don’t want a factory job or something. I want a true career. Is that not an option for someone with criminal history?
Hi Faith! Sometimes you have to suck it up and take a job you don’t want because you never know where it will lead! There was another commenter here who, after working jobs he hated, ran into a friend who was a dispatcher for a cab company and got him a job driving. He’s done very well for himself from there. Years back I was going to school to be an Administrative Assistant. I was working in an ice cream shop (which I hated!) and got to talking to one of the customers. When he found out what I was going to school for he offered me a job working for him – he was an attorney and I got some hands on experience in office work. Take a look at these links below. Also, talk to your local community college first. If you can get in and complete 2 years, they can help you get into a 4 year school to get a BS and even a MS. Also, take a look at thumbtack.com – you can set yourself up as your own “business” and use your skills to work independently. I set myself up as an admin when I was between jobs and got 2 gigs out of it.
http://classroom.synonym.com/college-felony-record-2391.html
http://www.communityalternatives.org/pdf/publications/Criminal-History-Screening-in-College-Admissions-AttorneyGuide-CCA-1-2013.pdf
Your desire to do something with your life speaks volumes, and I truly wish you the best!
Jonathan, my name is James, and I’m a convicted felon. I did 20 years starting back in 1988, but now I can’t find a job at all. Can you help me to get a job? I will travel to wherever there’s work. Just message me here, ok? Thanks, man.