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.
Does anyone have any job leads for felons in Maryland. I have a M.A in Psychology and a B.A. In Business Management. I have over 21 years of supervisory, customer service, and managerial skills. God Bless everyone on their journey.
Are you trying to find them jobs or are you looking specifically for your self?
Felony or no Felony, first and foremost everyone is human and imperfect. Felons rights to regain a respectable status in society and the proper means to do so, should not be hendered by over the top unfair regulations set into play by big wigs that don’t have a clue to what it’s like to live as a felon. We are expected to care for financial obligations and Etc, when majority of employers avoid us like the Black Plague. It’s all so ludicrous and most importantly: UNFAIR.
Forget about how difficult it is to get the job, how about the challenges you face once you begin as an employee and someone decides to google you and sees that wonderful mug shot. Then they find out what you did all the details, etc. Then the gossip spreads and everyone forms an opinion of you based on your past. An opinion that is very hard to overcome. It just sucks. And to get your mug shot removed from google? Oh yeah that’s like $400. This society has no good place for felons and basically treats us like disposable scum. No voting rights, no gun rights (can’t protect myself as a female) and no chance of expungement. Oh, wait, never mind, how dare I complain and not take responsibility for my actions and choices. But, hey, at least I’m a felon in America, that’s like the best circumstance for a felon I suppose. For some people, there are no second chances in life. Make your next move wisely.
Heres the problem today guys n gals.. As technology takes over jobs, the job pool starts to shrink.. Today, there are less n less jobs for even “clean” folks nevermind felons.. Between jobs goin over seas to robotics, it gettin hard for everyone.. The system knows this. So, letting felons in the door is not on top of the list.. It sucks.. I know. I caught a low level felony out of Indiana before they changed the same charge to a mis. OUCH! Now, its really tough.. The only thing you can do is keep your head up and wait for your break.. It will happen, you just gotta endure till that day comes.. The only thing that will change the way things are would be to protest with a bunch of other in Washington but, the only thing is, is that this topic dont get votes. And in many states, your right to vote is gone so, who cares. Thats the way they look at it.
You make a great point john. The job market is hard for everyone which in turn makes it even worse for felons.
Hey everyone,
I logged onto Google and typed in the question “Looking for a job with a Felony on a person’s record”. Now, let me start by stating the I HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED AS OF THIS DATE – 1/23/17, HAVEN’T EVEN GONE TO TRIAL YET, but a 2nd Degree Felony charge of THEFT > $200K shows up on my record anytime a background check has been run on me when I have been trying to become employed. The charges are false but regardless, as we, the people that are telling their unfortunate stories of being labeled a Felon, will unjustly carry this label on them until the day they die. Our JUDICIAL SYSTEM is so corrupt and politically run by all of these WANT TO BE people, who don’t care who they hurt or whos lives they effect negatively, have this mindset and don’t give a crap about anyone but themselves. As long as they can get to the top of wherever they are going, that’s all that matters to these SELFESS, HEARTLESS jerks.
The manner in which our supposed Judicial System is set up as GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT, NOT INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. The sad thing is there seems to be nothing a person can do without having a million dollars available to them to change the outcome of their situation. I’ve now paid a lawyer $50,000.00, whom I have found out after the fact, that he is corrupt and steals peoples money and never provides the representation that they pay for, which is what happened to me. I now have no home to call my own, no job to pay my bills, and have had horrible luck in trying to find a job because of the Felony charge that comes up on any background check.
Again, I haven’t gone to court nor been convicted of these charges, haven’t go to jail or prison either. I ask that someone please provide any suggestions or directions that I can go to at least get a job because now DEPRESSION has set in and we all know what sometimes that can become a serious problem for someone in my situation. Thanks in advance for any solutions or opinions.
It was because you have a pending charge.. It will only go away if your found not guilty.. If its 200k.. Its a serious alagation.. The system has a duty to protect the community until it is cleared up. They have to report it as pending, its the company that makes the call. Most likely that company you tried to get a job didnt want the risk until then.. Dont get mad at the system.. It was the employers call to take you or wait till you go to court.. They choose to believe the charges..
This is so disappointing! I have a felony theft from 7 years ago, I am eligible to apply for a concealment of my record but its expensive. Not only did I pay restitution I also served 8 months in a place where I was constantly under threat and abused. Not only did I pay the next 5 years by being on what the courts call “good behavior” I have also paid for a Ladac counselor and I have changed my whole life around. Now as a new father I am starting to look for jobs that pay well enough to live off of, and I am finding that even though I paid my dues, I will never be anything more then a felon. I can work at Dunkin Doughnuts sure, but It wont be enough to live off of, and ill be looked at like the drags of society. Ill never go back to that old life but sometimes its so hard not to. The laws should be changed, there should be some period of time after awhile where its all removed, you should have to be punished for life
Have you considered truck driving. We just posted information about this on our jobs page.
Yep… Wait until you hit nearly 20 years after your conviction. I have no other marks prior to, or after my felony and I have been clean and sober since that date as well. It weighs on me heavily still. Banned from so many professions as the result of one stupid night accompanying someone who committed the crime.
You may want to look at our truck driving jobs section.
Your state ACLU will get your record expunged for free. Go to their website, i.e. ACLU name of your state.com
There will be a form for you to download and fill out. If you need any help, go to your local public library.
Bon chance.
Hey everyone! So I have a couple misdemeanors and two felonies from about 4+ years ago. I have since then graduated a drug program and have been clean 3 years, and successfully terminated probation (didn’t violate at all)….. My success story has even been in the newspaper…… I’ve been working steady for the last 2 years since all of this happened, 2-3 jobs up until June when I got my current job where I am pretty content for the time being. Things are good, I feel like I’m considered a success and I’m happy for the most part but I’m so ready to find a “career”….. I make ok money but I am a single mother of 3 and I’m ready to strive not just survive it that makes any sense….. any ideas? Does anyone know of any career type jobs that will hire someone like me? I’m looking into Caltrans for because once I get in there I’m set but just in case that falls through I want a backup plan. I have a degree in criminal justice (yeah go figure) but I don’t think that will get me anywhere? Any ideas? Thanks in advance
Hello. Make the best out of what’s available.. It all takes time but I am sure with a positive outlook ahead, you will find where you belong. Congratulations and much success…
I was 17 when I almost got charged with a felony I have a few misdemionors from when I was a juvenile and 1 when I was 18. But the felony was dissmissed by the court bc I was found not guilty for the charge they were saying I was guilty off. but I am 21 now I’m working at a gas station I really want to go into phlebomoty I’m worried that this will hinder me in the career path I want to go down? Any comments on if the employer would look past this since I was NOT convicted or would my few misdemionors stop me anyway?!?
I was a phlebotomist many years ago. I seriously doubt they would hold that against you. There is a national certification you can get that I had. It doesn’t pay very well so you may want to look into EMT or paramedic. Pays more and not that long in school.
Hi Jason, is there any way where they will hire me because I’m a diabetic and lost my license at the cause of my illness
They don’t look past ur adult record. They as In employees. And they dont care about misdemeanors.
The Prison and Jail system is a money making program, Legalized slavery. The government do not want ex-cons to change for the better. The government has created a system to keep the porch light on for the return of inmates to receive constant education to upgrade their illegal skills. I believe in America the only true school system that is truly educating americans is the prison system. That education is “How to become a better criminal” and across the door way should say “We Set The System For Endless opportunities For Your Return” If anything when most inmates are freed they are given a pass card that says, “VACATION ONLY PASS”. If the government wanted to decrease crime they would invest in creating Businesses that are set to place released inmates for employment instantaneously on their release date. Maybe their could be a Employment program within the prison that would allow those inmates with extended education, talents and willingness to take advantage of the upper level programs a job placement letter that could referred the Inmates to businesses before releasing them to the streets jobless to a government owned Business. Businesses such as funded factories, Tattoo Shops, Carpentry wood work, Landscaping, Construction etc. . The Work Program could be a one year program with educational classes required to maintain employment to strengthen skills or knowledge of the new technology in America, trades, certificates to provide to the company when applying . Are we as a nation trying to correct the high percentage rate of return of a incarcerated individual by dumping uneducated, drug depended and mentally ill people back into the world after serving years in prison without support by our government? knowing these people are behind in technology, no money in their pockets, no ability to get housing and the word felony that shows up on every criminal check for employment to our communities and expecting a good outcome? How do a person change their behavior if from the time the wind hits their face they are treated as if they have a scarlet letter on their forehead. Our system has never been about changing behaviors or lives. It has always been about free labor, putting money in the pockets of those who created and control the system, to get around the slavery laws (in the constitutional books it may say “free” but as a race or people you will never be free in America) and to never forgive those who made mistakes. The only opportunity for freedom is to never enter these doors and even then we will come to your communities to remind those who believe that they are free, that freedom will never happen until the day that Jesus Christ returns.
What do they charge…and is for real?
If you have a no conviction or dismissal for the felony then you should be able to get the misdemeanors expunged to prevent you from moving forward in your career. In many cases, a juvenile criminal record cannot be used against you but that depends on what state you live in. You should consult a criminal defense lawyer in your state. But because all of this happened while you were young, you should be good to go with getting this Stuff off your record as long as you don’t get into any more trouble
Hi Haile,
Best thing to do is apply to your local Technical college for their phlebotomy program and they will most likely run a background check on you. Most schools will work with you if you have small issues on your record. Credit is also a big thing with employers now, so try to keep good credit, even if it is no credit. Paying one bill, no matter how small, on time will help build your credit. Talk to the school’s advisor and be very open with them. They will help you from there. 🙂 Good luck, and keep wanting better for yourself! ❤️