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’m a felon in Florida and it’s tough…I’m actually leaving for greener pastures cause work here sucks….I will say if anyone is interessted,look into az….I lived there from 2010 till 2o14 and found ot when I first move there they don’t recognize a few states….one of them being fl….in other words,I had NO criminal history in the state of az….alot more jobs opened up because of that cause they only did in state checks….however,I wouldn’t recommend lying to any employer….though I didn’t have to register as a felon in az as for the reason being I was not a sex offender,I was still honest about my record in fl….all it takes these days is a simple check….to my surprise,alot of employers did not care at all….one of my bosses in the office I worked in was a felon himself and he only hired other felons….it may be a hard decision to just up and go,but sometimes a change is need to mov3 forward and is why I’m going back
There aren’t many choices to get your life back on track a career is long term something you can retire from something to leave behind. A job will only allow u to work hard tear your body down and not to be able to even draw Social security. For get 401k I do understand choices u make have consequences but how do u not repeat your actions if you can’t establish a foundation 4 your family
I’m a felon and also awaiting sentencing to go back….Felony DUI’s. I am an alcoholic and know I need to make change in my life. I will tell you it’s hard to find employment with a record, not many people are willing to give you a chance, it’s frustrating. I really want to learn a trade, one that will better my future and give me things to look forward to. I have a beautiful family and my heart is broken because of the situation I’m leaving them in. I want to make it up to them. Does anyone have any sound advice to offer me about the route to take employment wise. If so please email me at [email protected].
Hello!! My Husband was charged with aggravated battery back in 2009. He did serve 3 years and upon getting out is now just about through is BS in Computer Science. How likely is it that he can get a job in that career path? Both of us figured the degree would help his case (he has literally never been in trouble before, not even a speeding ticket). But I would really like to know the reality of is it even possible for him to put his degree to use. Any insight would be appreciated! Thank you all so much!
I’m also a felon who is pursuing a BS in computer sciences. My advisor told me it would be pointless to do this and get a good job with a company. It’s a 25 percent chance that I would get a job unless it’s from a private company or I open my own business. He said it involves a lot of security and that it’s hard to trust a felon. But oh well, ima keep trying. Good luck
Don’t let what a man tell you be your reason to stop trying to achieve something regardless of your mistakes. I don’t know what your religion preference is or if you believe in anything at all but just because your convicted don’t mean nobody will hire you. Stay focus and finish your degree a higher power has something for you.
They tell you everything is easy but you will have to come out the pocket with more money to fix your background I’ve been turned down for 3 jobs and I pled under the 1st offender act on a intent charge for 5.00 of Marijuana
I have a felony for distribution.i get disability cause im crazy and been locked up most my life.but now i want to go get a degree or CDL.but i wanna make alot of money and get a career.reading everything on google trying to find my way
I really need a list of careers that I can do with my violent felony. Does anyone know how I can get one?
I was told a felon can become a drug and alcohol counselor? Does anyone know if this is true? I’m 32 with 2 kids. I was thinking about welding but I’m a little girl so construction trades probably aren’t a good idea. I thought about going for cosmetology but I don’t know. I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field but now I can’t. I don’t want to be in debt for going to school for no reason. Please someone help!!!
The jobs listed for places that MIGHT hire felons seem to be targeted at men. I was a secretary, in customer relations and sales. I am a female. I’ve even worked for 2 criminal attys. BUT. when i applied to Time Warner
they would not hire me due to the fact I had a felony for driving w/o a drivers’ license. They told me that even
though i was one of very few people to ace their aptitude tests, they would not hire me because that is a trust issue and my job would be receiving credit card payments for orders. As the manager told me over the phone, if you knowingly drive a car w/o a license. that to him is a trust issue and that they wouldnt hire me for fear of stealing peoples credit cards and running away to Hawaii or buying expensive jewelry, etc. What a dolt! Yes, I admit i do love to drive but certainly do not anymore. However, this is Fla. and their rules are extremely strict. They do not hesitate to put people in prison for this crime. Also, I don’t know about other states, but if a person is found not guilty or if the case is dropped, they will still put that on your record for all to see. At least they do in Marion Co. Fla. I would like to know if this happens in other counties in Fla. or in other states. If found not guilty, or if the case is dropped, what is the reason for doing this? Now, where are the jobs for women other than cleaning motel rooms or waitressing?? Not saying women cannot do these jobs, I just am not one of them! So, where are these female oriented jobs?
Lauren:
I would like to communicate with you please: [email protected]
Yes, this is true most people can get jobs doing this with a folony.
I know for a fact that ex drug addicts and alcoholics can be come drug counselers. I have several friends who are going to Texas Tech and they got a scholarship from them. However you must have I think 3 years of sobriety and proff to even be considered. Hope this help. I to am an ex addict and am going on five years of sobriety.
Yes you can. I have 5 felonies and I’m in school for Certified Recovery Specialist certificate. Most community colleges offer this course. You can work in a rehab or with recovery houses.
This is in fact true I have a felony and work for a non profit company as a counselor
it’s crazy hearing all this, I knew that it was seriously hard for someone with a felony to get a descent job or to even have a career in something that could change the outlook of their lives. In 2007 I too got convicted of a felony, it wasn’t my fought, the DA didn’t have any evidence proving that I have committed a crime. they just went on the world of three people and these individual’s wasn’t even there. But, just because they said it happen, that; met it happen, even when one of their own witnesses could not identify me nor the vehicle I was driving. the thing is when there is people against you for just being you, the world turns harmful. I got convicted of attempted aggravated assault without laying any hands on no one. I continue to optimistic about my life, I have a Associates Degree and I am getting ready to graduate from school with a Bachelor Degree, so believe me I feel everyone’s pain. I’ve been trying to get a job for 6 years and its be very hard not getting one and yes, I do feel like giving up but I don’t.
What field are you going to college for. I want to go back to school but I am worried about spending years in college and finding out I can’t get a job or my nursing license.
I am currently in school for social work. I dual majored with AGS.. general studies and graduate w my AA sociology in December 2016. I work at a drug and alcohol placement facility. i have worked for a drug rehab previously. I got convicted in 2011 of poss w intent, a class D felony here in las Vegas. I am stuck now.. I keep hitting the same wall, my felony. I called my lawyer, I cannot get my record sealed until 2025. It seems all my schooling is for nothing ..I am so discouraged. I am 45 years old. I now have almost 4 years clean and that doesn’t seem to mean much. It sucks I may be stuck working at Walmart with college degrees … I want to go on to get my BSW .. and I am, but I can only hope I don’t hit that same wall when applying for my license in a couple years.
You can work in the medical field. My sister in-law just started as a xray tech. She lives in CA and you must submit a letter to the medical board stating the charge(s) and what you have done since the conviction to better your life. It’s up to the medical board to decide to accept or decline your application to become licensed in whatever field you are interested in. So there is definetly hope. Also another obstacle when you seek employment after earning your license but as long as your honest and show how you have changed your life the hospital you are seeking employment with decide to give you a chance. Volunteering while in school helps alot to know your potential decision makers when its time to seek a job after school.