Jobs for people with criminal records are available in industries like construction, manufacturing, trucking, food service, skilled trades, technology, and more. Nearly every industry offers opportunities, but your prospects depend on the employer’s hiring policies, screening process, job requirements, and openness to fair chance hiring.

While a criminal record can limit some opportunities, it doesn’t prevent you from building a successful career. Knowing where to look, understanding how background checks work, and preparing a strong application can improve your chances of getting hired.

Below, you’ll find 40 job ideas for people with criminal records across several industries, including higher-paying career options, 10 employers with fair chance hiring initiatives, and tips on how to find a job with a criminal record.

Before You Apply: What to Know About Jobs With a Criminal Record

Today, more employers are open to hiring candidates with criminal records, especially as fair chance hiring policies, reentry programs, and record-clearing laws become more common. Still, most employers run background checks, and many consider safety, liability, trust, and whether a past offense is related to the job. 

Here are a few key things to know before you apply:

  • Second-chance programs: Reentry programs, workforce agencies, and nonprofit organizations can help with job training, resume support, interview preparation, and employer connections. Some also partner directly with employers that are open to hiring people with criminal records.
  • Fair chance hiring policies: Fair chance hiring encourages employers to evaluate your skills and qualifications before considering your criminal history. “Ban the box” policies, for example, delay questions about any criminal history until later in the hiring process.
  • Background checks: A background check may include criminal history, employment history, education, driving records, professional licenses, or other public records, depending on the job. If a third-party screening company is used, you generally have the right to receive a copy of the report and dispute inaccurate information.
  • What employers can check: Employers can usually verify information related to your identity, qualifications, employment history, and criminal record, depending on federal, state, and local laws. If they use a third-party background check company, they generally must get your written permission first.
  • Clean Slate laws: Clean Slate laws are designed to give eligible people a clearer path forward by sealing certain criminal records after a waiting period. Some states do this automatically, while others require you to apply, and eligibility varies by state and offense.
  • How long records appear: There’s no single number of years that applies to every background check. While many people hear “seven years,” criminal convictions can often appear longer, sometimes indefinitely, unless they’ve been sealed, expunged, or limited by state law.
  • Arrests vs convictions: An arrest without a conviction does not prove criminal conduct, but it can still appear on some background checks. Some states limit whether employers can ask about or consider arrests that did not lead to a conviction, so it’s worth reviewing your state’s laws.
  • Careers and licenses that may be restricted: Some jobs and professional licenses have stricter rules for applicants with certain criminal records, particularly in healthcare, government, finance, security, and driving. Requirements vary by state, employer, and offense.

30 Jobs You Can Get With a Criminal Record by Industry

Manufacturing, warehousing, skilled trades, construction, transportation, logistics, hospitality, food service, maintenance, cleaning, creative, and tech are all career fields known to provide jobs for people with criminal records.

The 30 jobs below include average salaries from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), along with typical duties. That said, these jobs are examples, not guarantees. Hiring policies vary by employer, industry, location, and the nature of your criminal record.

Manufacturing & Warehousing Jobs

Examples of manufacturing and warehouse jobs for people with criminal records include:

  1. Assembly Worker ($46,660/year): Put together products or components using tools, machinery, or detailed instructions in a manufacturing setting.
  2. Forklift Operator ($48,370/year): Move materials safely throughout warehouses and distribution centers using powered industrial equipment.
  3. Machine Operator ($43,660/year): Operate, monitor, and maintain production equipment used to manufacture goods.
  4. Production Worker ($41,120/year): Assist with manufacturing tasks such as assembling products, packaging items, and inspecting quality.
  5. Warehouse Worker ($39,540/year): Pick, pack, receive, organize, and ship inventory in warehouses and fulfillment centers.

Skilled Trade & Construction Jobs

Examples of skilled trade and construction jobs for people with criminal records include:

  1. Auto Mechanic ($56,420/year): Inspect, maintain, and repair cars, trucks, and other vehicles using diagnostic tools and mechanical skills.
  2. Construction Worker ($52,030/year): Perform physical tasks on construction sites, including material handling, demolition, and site preparation.
  3. Electrician Apprentice/Helper ($44,080/year): Learn electrical installation and repair under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
  4. Plumber Apprentice/Helper ($43,730/year): Assist licensed plumbers while learning to install, repair, and maintain plumbing systems.
  5. Welder ($56,760/year): Join and repair metal components using specialized welding equipment in construction, manufacturing, and industrial settings.

Transportation & Logistics Jobs

Examples of transportation and logistics jobs for people with criminal records include:

  1. Delivery Driver ($48,770/year): Transport packages or goods to customers following assigned routes and delivery schedules.
  2. Inventory Specialist ($46,810/year): Track inventory levels, perform audits, and help maintain accurate stock records.
  3. Material Handler ($45,640/year): Load, unload, organize, and transport materials within warehouses or production facilities.
  4. Shipping Clerk ($46,810/year): Process incoming and outgoing shipments, verify inventory, and prepare documentation.
  5. Truck Driver ($59,710/year): Transport freight over local or long-distance routes with the appropriate commercial driver’s license.

Hospitality & Food Service Jobs

Examples of hospitality and food service jobs for people with criminal records include:

  1. Cook ($38,730/year): Prepare meals, follow recipes, maintain food safety standards, and keep kitchen stations organized.
  2. Dishwasher ($34,310/year): Clean dishes, cookware, and kitchen equipment while helping maintain an efficient kitchen.
  3. Food Preparation Worker ($35,290/year): Chop ingredients, portion food, prepare simple menu items, and support cooks during service.
  4. Hotel Housekeeper ($37,080/year): Clean guest rooms, restock supplies, and maintain hotel cleanliness standards.
  5. Restaurant Server ($40,060/year): Take orders, serve food and beverages, and provide customer service throughout the dining experience.

Maintenance & Cleaning Jobs

Examples of maintenance and cleaning jobs for people with criminal records include:

  1. House Cleaner ($37,080/year): Clean homes by sanitizing rooms, changing linens, restocking supplies, and maintaining tidy spaces.
  2. Janitor ($38,760/year): Keep buildings clean by sweeping, mopping, sanitizing surfaces, and removing trash.
  3. Landscaper ($42,290/year): Maintain outdoor spaces by planting, mowing, trimming, weeding, and performing seasonal yard care.
  4. Maintenance Technician ($53,780/year): Perform basic building repairs, preventive maintenance, and equipment troubleshooting.
  5. Sanitation Worker ($52,820/year): Collect trash, recycling, or waste materials and help keep public, commercial, or residential spaces clean and safe.

Creative & Tech Jobs

Examples of creative and technology jobs for people with criminal records include:

  1. Barber ($47,070/year): Cut, style, and groom clients’ hair and facial hair.
  2. Computer Support Specialist ($81,870/year): Help users troubleshoot hardware, software, and technical issues.
  3. Graphic Designer ($70,560/year): Create visual materials, such as logos, ads, graphics, layouts, and digital assets, for clients or companies.
  4. Photographer or Videographer ($55,410/year): Capture and edit photos or videos for events, businesses, publications, marketing, or creative projects.
  5. Quality Assurance (QA) Tester ($111,490/year): Test software, identify bugs, document issues, and help improve product quality.

10 High-Paying Jobs for People With Criminal Records

Elevator installers, software developers, and freelance writers are examples of higher-paying jobs that may be available to people with criminal records, depending on the employer, role, licensing rules, and type of offense.

Many of these careers are in hands-on skilled trades and technology, transportation, construction, or freelance jobs where specialized skills, certifications, or experience can increase your earning potential.

  • 1.

    Diesel Mechanic ($64,320/year): Inspect, maintain, and repair diesel engines used in trucks, buses, heavy equipment, and commercial vehicles.

  • 2.

    Elevator Mechanic ($109,820/year): Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair elevators, escalators, and moving walkways.

  • 3.

    HVAC Technician ($64,780/year): Install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.

  • 4.

    Mining Machine Operator ($69,860/year): Operate heavy machinery to extract coal, ore, stone, or other materials from mines while monitoring equipment, maintaining safety standards, and ensuring efficient production.

  • 5.

    Railroad Conductor ($79,100/year): Coordinate train operations, oversee freight or passenger movement, and ensure compliance with safety procedures.

  • 6.

    Software Developer ($148,100/year): Design, build, and maintain software applications. Freelance and contract work can provide additional opportunities for experienced developers.

  • 7.

    Structural Steel Erector ($70,280/year): Assemble and install steel beams, columns, and frameworks used in commercial and industrial construction projects.

  • 8.

    Web Designer ($117,490/year): Design website layouts, visuals, and user-friendly pages for businesses, clients, or organizations.

  • 9.

    Wind Turbine Technician ($68,980/year): Install, inspect, maintain, and repair wind turbines used to generate renewable energy.

  • 10.

    Writer ($86,090/year): Create content for businesses, publications, or clients. Freelance writing can provide flexible opportunities across many industries.

10 Employers That Hire People With Criminal Records

Several well-known employers hire qualified candidates with criminal records, including JPMorganChase, Checkr, and Dave’s Killer Bread.

All 10 of the employers below have publicly shared fair-chance or second-chance hiring initiatives, partnerships, or policies that support employment opportunities for people with criminal records. 

Remember, though, that hiring decisions are still made on a case-by-case basis and depend on the role, qualifications, and individual circumstances.

  1. Apple
  2. Ben & Jerry’s
  3. Checkr
  4. Dave’s Killer Bread
  5. Flagger Force
  6. Georgia-Pacific
  7. Greyston Bakery
  8. JPMorganChase
  9. Kelly Services
  10. Slack

To find more companies that offer jobs for people with criminal records, check out these resources:

How to Find & Get a Job With a Criminal Record: 8 Tips

The best way to get a job with a criminal record is to focus your search on fair chance employers, build a strong application, and prepare to address your record honestly and confidently. While finding work can take extra effort, many employers hire qualified candidates with criminal records, especially when they have relevant skills, steady work history, or evidence of rehabilitation.

The tips below cover how to get a job with a criminal record and can help you strengthen your application, navigate background checks, and discuss your record professionally.

  • 1.

    Target Employers With Fair Chance Hiring Policies

    “A big part of your job search is to spend some time researching and identifying companies that hire people with a criminal record,” shared Toni Frana, a career expert at Monster. “When you know a company is open to hiring someone with a criminal background, you can focus on those companies and create tailored applications to open positions you’re otherwise qualified for.”

    Start with employers that are publicly open to hiring people with criminal records. Look for companies that mention “fair chance,” “second chance,” “ban the box,” or “reentry hiring” in their job postings, career pages, or hiring policies.

    You can also search for employers that partner with workforce development programs or sign fair chance hiring pledges. This doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the job, but it can improve your chances of being evaluated for your skills and experience instead of being screened out early.

  • 2.

    Use Workforce Development & Reentry Programs

    Workforce development and reentry programs can help you find job leads, prepare for interviews, write a resume, and connect with employers that hire people with records. Some programs also offer transportation help, interview clothing, training, apprenticeships, or legal referrals.

    Start with local nonprofit reentry organizations, community colleges, trade schools, religious organizations, and state or county workforce agencies.

    These programs often know which employers in your area are open to second-chance hiring and can help you apply, interview, and follow up with employers more confidently.

  • 3.

    Conduct Your Own Background Check

    Before applying, consider running a background check on yourself to help you understand what employers may see and give you time to correct errors.

    Review the report carefully. Check that names, dates, charges, dispositions, and case outcomes are accurate. If something is wrong, contact the background check company, court, or agency listed on the report. Having the correct information can help you answer questions more confidently.

  • 4.

    Look Into Expungement Options

    Expungement, sealing, or record-clearing options vary by state. Some records may be eligible to be hidden from most employers after a waiting period, while others may not qualify.

    Check your state court website, legal aid office, public defender’s office, or local reentry organization for guidance. Even if your record can’t be fully cleared, you may have options to reduce what appears in some background checks.

  • 5.

    Be Prepared to Explain Your Record Honestly (Without Oversharing)

    Prepare a short, honest answer before an employer asks about your record. Lying on your application can cause more problems than the record itself, especially if the employer finds different information on a background check.

    Focus on what happened, what’s changed since then, and why you’re ready and able to do the job. Employers want to know what steps you’ve taken since your record, such as steady work, training, counseling, volunteering, education, mentoring, family responsibilities, or community involvement.

    You don’t need to offer extra details that weren’t requested. Answer clearly, then bring the conversation back to your skills, work history, and interest in the role.

    For example:

    I had a drug-related conviction several years ago. Since then, I completed a treatment program, stayed employed, and earned my forklift certification. I’m focused on steady work now, and I’m confident this won’t affect my ability to do the job safely and reliably.

  • 6.

    Build a Strong, Focused Resume

    Your resume should make it easy for employers to see why you’re qualified for the job. Focus on your skills, work experience, certifications, training, and accomplishments rather than your criminal record.

    Keep these resume tips for job seekers with criminal histories in mind:

    • Don’t mention your criminal record on your resume. Most employers won’t expect that information on a resume, and including it can shift attention away from your qualifications before you’ve had a chance to explain your circumstances. Save that conversation for a job interview if an employer asks.
    • Lead with your strengths. Highlight transferable skills, measurable accomplishments, certifications, technical skills, and relevant work experience that match the job description.
    • Use strong, specific language. Include clear job titles, action verbs, and accomplishments with numbers whenever possible (e.g., “Managed inventory for a warehouse serving 2,000+ customers” instead of “Worked in a warehouse”).
    • Represent incarceration gaps carefully. You don’t need to write “incarcerated” on your resume. Instead, include productive experience from that time if it’s relevant, such as GED completion, college coursework, vocational training, apprenticeships, certifications, facility work assignments, tutoring, mentoring, volunteer roles, or reentry program participation.
    • Consider a skills-based resume format. If you have significant employment gaps or limited recent work history, a functional or combination resume format can emphasize your qualifications and skills before your work history.
    • Tailor every resume you submit. Adjust your skills, experience, and keywords to match each job posting so employers can quickly see why you’re a strong fit.
  • 7.

    Add to Your Qualifications

    Training, apprenticeships, career certifications, licenses, and degrees can help strengthen your application. They show employers that you’re serious about moving forward and building job-ready skills.

    Consider options that connect directly to the work you want, such as forklift certification, CDL training, food handler certification, Google career certificates, trade programs, coding courses, or community college classes.

  • 8.

    Get References From Employers, Mentors, or Community Leaders

    Strong references can help employers see your character, work ethic, and reliability. Ask former supervisors, coworkers, teachers, case managers, mentors, coaches, volunteer leaders, or community leaders who know you well.

    Before listing someone as a reference, ask for permission. Let them know what kinds of jobs you’re applying for and what strengths you hope they can speak to, such as dependability, teamwork, customer service, or technical skills.

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    Bonus Tip: Consider Starting a Business

    Self-employment can be another path if traditional hiring feels limited. Depending on your skills and interests, you might consider:

    • Freelancing
    • Opening a restaurant
    • Landscaping
    • Cleaning
    • Barbering
    • Repair work
    • Delivery services
    • Writing
    • Design
    • Photography
    • Mobile detailing
    • Home repair
    • Another service-based business

    Starting a business still takes planning, and some fields require licenses, insurance, permits, or background checks. But it can give you more control over your work, income, schedule, and future opportunities

A Criminal Record Doesn’t Define Your Future

About one in three adults in America has a criminal record, so you’re not alone in facing background check concerns during a job search.

The right jobs for people with criminal records may take time to find, but plenty of employers are willing to consider your skills, experience, and growth. Target your search, prepare your application, use available support, and give yourself grace as you move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can someone with a criminal record get a job?

Someone with a criminal record can get a job in industries like manufacturing, warehousing, construction, skilled trades, transportation, hospitality, maintenance, food service, and technology. Many employers also participate in fair chance hiring programs and evaluate applicants based on their qualifications rather than their record alone.

What is the best career path for a felon?

The best career path for a felon depends on your skills, interests, and long-term goals. Skilled trades, manufacturing, transportation, technology, and self-employment often provide strong earning potential and opportunities for advancement while placing greater emphasis on experience and job performance.

What jobs are off-limits to felons?

Some jobs may be off limits to felons because of federal or state laws, licensing requirements, or employer policies. Restrictions are most common in law enforcement, corrections, certain government positions, financial services, healthcare, education, and jobs requiring security clearances or professional licenses.

Does your criminal record automatically clear after seven years in the U.S.?

No, a criminal record does not automatically clear after seven years in the U.S. Some states limit how long certain records can be reported, but criminal convictions often remain on your record unless they’re expunged, sealed, or otherwise removed under state law.

Kirsten Chorpenning profile image
Kirsten Chorpenning Career Advice Writer

Kirsten Chorpenning is a career advice writer who empowers job seekers to take control of their career paths using Monster’s comprehensive job search and resume tools. She specializes in helping job seekers find rewarding jobs in today’s dynamic work environment.

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