Jobs for Felons: Second-Chance Careers, Trades, and Training Options
Yes, many people with felony records can find stable work. But the honest answer is not "this company hires felons" or "that job is always safe." Hiring depends on the conviction, how much time has passed, the job duties, state law, licensing rules, employer policy, insurance requirements, and whether the work involves homes, children, patients, money, driving, security, weapons, or sensitive data.
The good news: skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, logistics, repair, culinary work, tech, sales, and self-employment can all offer real second-chance career paths. The better news for anyone thinking about school is that trade school and technical training are often possible even with a felony record. The catch: getting into school is not the same thing as getting licensed, certified, placed in an externship, accepted into an apprenticeship, or hired.
Before paying for training: Ask the school and the relevant state licensing board whether your specific conviction could affect licensing, apprenticeships, externships, certification exams, job placement, or employment in that field. This page is career information, not legal advice.
Use this guide to compare realistic career paths, spot background-check and licensing risks, and decide what to verify before you enroll in a program or apply for work.
- Quick answer: What jobs can felons get?
- Best jobs for felons by career path
- Best skilled trades for felons
- Can felons go to trade school?
- Second-Chance Career Fit Checker
- High-paying jobs for felons
- Jobs that may be harder with a felony
- Companies that may hire felons
- How to get hired with a felony
- FAQ
Quick Answer: What Jobs Can Felons Get?
People with felony records can often get jobs in skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, repair, food service, warehousing, transportation, sales, some tech roles, and self-employment. The most realistic options are usually roles where employers can judge your current skills, reliability, and safety record more than your resume polish.
Jobs with lower background friction often share a few traits: they are skills-based, have clear hands-on output, are not heavily licensed, do not involve vulnerable people, do not require security clearance, and do not put you alone with customers' money, medication, homes, or sensitive records.
The EEOC advises employers to consider the accuracy and relevance of a conviction record before using it in an employment decision. Its broader enforcement guidance points to factors such as the nature and gravity of the offense, how much time has passed, and the nature of the job. That does not mean every employer will say yes. It does mean a record should not automatically end the conversation in every case.
Hands-on trades
Welding, HVAC/R, carpentry, machining, auto repair, diesel repair, construction, roofing, masonry, and industrial maintenance can be practical because employers often need people who can show up and do the work.
Licensed or safety-sensitive work
Electrical, plumbing, CDL, healthcare, security, education, childcare, finance, government, and home-service jobs can still be possible, but they need extra verification.
Self-employment paths
Freelance web work, repair services, landscaping, handyman work, mobile detailing, pressure washing, and subcontracting can reduce employer-screening barriers, though licenses and local business rules may still apply.
Best Jobs for Felons by Career Path
The best job is not always the highest-paying one. A realistic second-chance career should balance pay potential, training time, background-check friction, licensing risk, and whether the work gives you a way to prove your skill quickly.
| Career path | Typical training | Why it may fit | Main background or licensing concern | Barrier level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding | Certificate, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training | Skill-first industrial work with many shop, construction, and manufacturing settings. | Secure facilities, shipyards, nuclear sites, military contractors, or government jobs may require stricter checks. | Lower to moderate |
| HVAC/R | Trade school, apprenticeship, and EPA Section 608 certification | Technical work with repair, maintenance, and self-employment potential. | Residential service work may involve access to homes; licensing and insurance rules vary. | Moderate |
| Automotive repair | Certificate, diploma, associate degree, or shop training | Independent shops often care heavily about diagnostic skill, reliability, and tool competence. | Driving record, theft-related convictions, and dealership policies can matter. | Lower to moderate |
| Diesel mechanic | Trade school or long-term on-the-job training | Strong fit for mechanical problem-solvers; fleets, agriculture, construction, and logistics all need repair talent. | Some employers may require driving, road testing, or a CDL. | Lower to moderate |
| CNC machining | Certificate, apprenticeship, or manufacturing training | Precision manufacturing work with little public interaction and no broad state license. | Aerospace, defense, and secure manufacturing employers may screen more strictly. | Lower |
| Carpentry | Apprenticeship, helper role, or trade program | Clear path from helper to skilled craftsperson, subcontractor, or supervisor. | School, government, or occupied-home jobs may require stricter checks. | Lower to moderate |
| Plumbing helper or apprentice | Helper role, trade school, or apprenticeship | High-demand work with strong long-term earnings once licensed. | State licensing, apprentice registration, and work in homes can create barriers. | Moderate |
| Electrical helper or apprentice | Trade school or registered apprenticeship | Strong career ladder and excellent pay potential for people who can meet apprenticeship/licensing rules. | Electrical licensing boards, apprenticeship committees, security-sensitive job sites, and recent serious convictions may matter. | Moderate to high |
| Truck driving | CDL training, often several weeks | Short training timeline and broad demand in freight and logistics. | Driving record, employer insurance, HAZMAT endorsement rules, and certain serious convictions can limit options. | Moderate |
| Food service and culinary work | On-the-job training or culinary program | Restaurants and kitchens can offer fast entry, flexible experience requirements, and promotion potential. | Schools, hospitals, and institutional kitchens may run stricter background checks. | Lower |
| Web development or freelance tech | Certificate, portfolio, bootcamp, self-study, or degree | Portfolio-based work and freelancing can reduce reliance on traditional screening. | Corporate roles involving financial systems, data, cybersecurity, or government contracts may screen heavily. | Moderate |
Wage note: Pay varies by location, employer, experience, union status, credentials, overtime, and industry. Wage figures below use national May 2025 data from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics unless otherwise noted.
Best Skilled Trades for Felons
Skilled trades deserve their own section because they are often the most practical second-chance options. They can give you visible proof of ability, shorter training paths than many degree programs, and a route toward apprenticeship, contractor work, or self-employment.
The trade still matters. So does the conviction. A shop-based welding job is not the same risk profile as residential HVAC service. A plumbing helper job is not the same as a licensed contractor role. A trucking job without HAZMAT is not the same as hauling hazardous materials. That is why the right question is not just, What trades hire felons? It is also, What should I verify before I spend money on training?
| Trade or technical path | May 2025 median pay | Why it can work | Verify before enrolling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers | $25.84/hour; $53,750/year | Hands-on, testable skill; many shop, manufacturing, and construction environments. | Whether major local employers require security clearance, government-site access, or specialized certifications. |
| HVAC/R mechanics and installers | $29.33/hour; $61,010/year | Technical troubleshooting plus strong repair and maintenance demand. | EPA 608 prep, state licensing, home-service background policies, and whether self-employment requires a contractor license. |
| Carpenters | $29.12/hour; $60,580/year | Skill-first construction route with helper, apprenticeship, and subcontractor paths. | Whether commercial, school, or government job sites require stricter screening. |
| Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | $30.67/hour; $63,800/year | High-demand mechanical trade with strong long-term income potential. | State licensing board rules, apprentice registration, and jobsite access restrictions. |
| Electricians | $30.38/hour; $63,190/year | Strong career ladder and broad residential, commercial, industrial, and maintenance demand. | Apprenticeship screening, licensing rules, electrical board policies, and secure jobsite access. |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $24.34/hour; $50,620/year | Independent shops, dealerships, fleets, and specialty repair businesses need practical diagnostic skill. | Tool costs, driving record, customer-vehicle access, and employer policies for theft-related offenses. |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $29.70/hour; $61,770/year | Mechanical path connected to trucking, agriculture, construction, public works, and fleet maintenance. | Whether employers require CDL eligibility, road-service calls, or public-sector background checks. |
| CNC tool operators and programmers | Operators: $24.37/hour; $50,690/year Programmers: $32.75/hour; $68,120/year |
Manufacturing work with clear output, technical skill requirements, and limited public contact. | Whether local manufacturing employers serve aerospace, defense, or other secure industries. |
| Industrial machinery mechanics | $31.02/hour; $64,520/year | Factory and plant maintenance can reward mechanical troubleshooting, reliability, and safety skills. | Whether the job involves electrical safety credentials, plant access, or employer-specific screening. |
| Construction laborers | $22.66/hour; $47,120/year | Low formal education barrier and fast entry into paid work. | Whether the path can lead to OSHA credentials, equipment training, or supervisor roles. |
| Operating engineers and construction equipment operators | $28.78/hour; $59,850/year | Infrastructure and construction work with strong hands-on skill value. | Driving record, union/apprenticeship screening, site access, and equipment-specific credential rules. |
| Masonry and concrete work | Brickmasons: $29.87/hour; $62,120/year Cement masons: $27.41/hour; $57,020/year |
Physical, craft-based construction work where reliability and skill are visible fast. | Whether local employers require OSHA training, site screening, or a driver's license. |
| Roofers | $26.65/hour; $55,440/year | Fast-entry work with crew-leader and subcontracting potential. | Height safety, transportation, insurance, and whether self-employment requires a contractor license. |
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers | $18.82/hour; $39,150/year | Accessible entry, seasonal flexibility, and strong small-business potential. | Pesticide applicator licensing, driving requirements, and local business licensing. |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $28.19/hour; $58,640/year | Short training timeline and high demand across freight and logistics. | CDL eligibility, driving record, employer insurance, and TSA HAZMAT endorsement disqualifications. |
Practical tip: Ask local employers what they actually hire for before choosing a program. In some areas, OSHA 10, forklift training, EPA 608, NCCER, AWS-related welding prep, or a clean driving record may matter more than a long credential list.
Can Felons Go to Trade School?
In many cases, yes. A felony conviction does not automatically prevent you from attending a trade school, career college, community college, or online training program. Schools can have their own admissions policies, but the bigger issue is usually what happens after enrollment.
Some fields require state licensing, supervised apprenticeships, clinical placements, background checks, driving approval, or employer insurance approval. That means you can sometimes complete training and still face barriers to the next step. Annoying? Absolutely. Better to know before tuition eats your wallet and burps paperwork.
Ask these questions before enrolling
- Has anyone with a similar record completed this program and gotten licensed or hired locally?
- Does the program require an externship, clinical placement, apprenticeship sponsor, or jobsite placement?
- Will my conviction affect certification exams, state licensing, apprentice registration, or background checks?
- Does the school help students contact licensing boards before enrollment?
- Are there local employers known to consider applicants with records?
- Does the school's career services team understand second-chance hiring?
Financial aid and criminal convictions
A felony conviction does not automatically block federal student aid after release. Federal Student Aid says incarceration-related eligibility limits are removed once you're released, and drug convictions no longer affect federal student aid eligibility. However, incarceration status, school eligibility, program eligibility, and state aid rules can still affect what you can receive.
CareerOneStop's justice-impacted worker resources can also help you explore training, job-search steps, and local reentry programs.
There is also federal workforce support for this general direction. In 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor announced RESTART grant funding intended to support training and employment for formerly incarcerated people in skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, registered apprenticeships, and other high-demand industries. That does not mean a grant-funded program is available everywhere, but it is a useful signal that trades and apprenticeships are central to many reentry employment efforts.
Trade School Enrollment vs. Licensing and Employment
This is the distinction that can save you a lot of money: schools may accept you even when a licensing board or employer later says no.
The National Conference of State Legislatures notes that people with criminal records can face barriers from occupational licensing rules, including blanket bans, broad "good moral character" clauses, and high fees. Some states have fair-chance licensing reforms. Others still leave a lot of discretion to licensing boards.
Lower-friction training
Shop-based welding, CNC machining, manufacturing, construction labor, roofing, masonry, landscaping, and some automotive jobs may involve fewer formal licensing hurdles.
Moderate-friction training
HVAC/R, plumbing, electrical, CDL, diesel repair, and heavy equipment work can be strong paths, but licensing, driving, insurance, apprenticeship, or jobsite rules may matter.
Higher-friction training
Healthcare, childcare, education, security, law enforcement, finance, and government roles may have stricter screening because of vulnerable populations, trust, safety, or legal requirements.
If you are unsure, ask the state licensing board whether it offers a preliminary determination, advisory opinion, or pre-application review for people with criminal records. Some states do. Some do not. Either way, ask before paying.
Second-Chance Career Fit Checker
This quick tool will not tell you whether a specific conviction will pass a background check. Nobody credible can promise that from a webpage. What it can do is point you toward career paths that may fit your work style, training timeline, and biggest concern.
High-Paying Jobs for Felons
High pay only helps if the path is realistically open. Some jobs look great on a salary table but come with licensing, degree, security, or background barriers that make them a bad first move. The better goal is good pay with manageable friction.
Industrial maintenance
Median pay: $31.02/hour; $64,520/year. This path can fit mechanical troubleshooters who want factory, plant, or production-equipment work. Ask about electrical safety training and local employer screening.
CNC programming
Median pay: $32.75/hour; $68,120/year for CNC tool programmers. This can be a strong manufacturing path if you like precision, math, and machine setup.
Plumbing and electrical
Median pay: about $30/hour nationally. These trades can pay well, but licensing and apprenticeship rules deserve serious pre-enrollment checking.
Diesel technology
Median pay: $29.70/hour; $61,770/year. Diesel repair can fit people who want heavy mechanical work without a traditional office environment.
Web development
Median pay: $44.54/hour; $92,650/year for web developers. It can work best when you build a portfolio, freelance, or target employers that care more about proof than pedigree.
Construction supervisor path
Median pay: $38.42/hour; $79,920/year for first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers. This usually starts with field experience, not a shortcut.
Jobs That May Be Harder With a Felony
Harder does not always mean impossible. It means you should verify the rules before investing time and money. In some cases, a related job with fewer restrictions may be smarter than attacking the most regulated path first.
| Field | Why it may be harder | Possible adjacent options |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Patient safety, clinical placements, state licensing, vulnerable populations, controlled substances, and facility background checks. | Facilities maintenance, environmental services, food service, sterile processing only after verifying local rules, medical billing/coding only after checking employer policies. |
| Education and childcare | Work with minors usually triggers strict screening and state rules. | Adult training, tutoring adults, facilities, maintenance, transportation, food service, or administrative roles after checking requirements. |
| Finance, banking, and insurance | Money handling, fiduciary duties, fraud risk, bonding, and regulatory screening. | Sales, customer support, bookkeeping for small businesses, or freelance admin work, depending on conviction type. |
| Security, law enforcement, and corrections | Weapons, public authority, safety-sensitive duties, and statutory restrictions. | Safety coordinator, construction site safety support, alarm installation, locksmithing only after verifying state rules. |
| Government and contractors | Public trust, security clearance, suitability reviews, and contract-specific rules. | Municipal public works, fleet maintenance, parks, sanitation, facilities, or contractor roles after checking local rules. |
| Transportation with HAZMAT or secure cargo | CDL may be possible, but TSA HAZMAT endorsements have specific disqualifying offenses and background checks. | Non-HAZMAT freight, warehouse, dispatch support, diesel repair, or local delivery depending on driving record. |
For transportation security-sensitive work, check TSA disqualifying offenses and factors. For broader state-by-state collateral consequences, the National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction can help identify legal restrictions that may apply.
Companies That May Hire Felons
Lists of "companies that hire felons" can be useful, but treat them carefully. A company may consider applicants with records in one state, one store, one warehouse, or one job type, then reject a similar applicant somewhere else. Policies change. Local managers matter. The conviction and job duties matter.
Instead of relying only on brand lists, look for employers and job sources that are built around fair-chance hiring:
- Second-chance and fair-chance job boards
- Local American Job Centers and workforce boards
- Reentry employment programs
- Apprenticeship sponsors and pre-apprenticeship programs
- Small businesses and independent contractors
- Construction, manufacturing, repair, warehouse, and logistics employers
- Employers that know how to use the Federal Bonding Program
Federal Bonding Program
The Federal Bonding Program provides fidelity bonds for at-risk or hard-to-place job seekers. The program says the bonds cover the first six months of employment at no cost to the applicant or employer. That can give a hesitant employer a practical reason to take your application seriously.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
The IRS describes the Work Opportunity Tax Credit as a federal tax credit for employers that hire people from certain targeted groups who have faced significant barriers to employment. IRS guidance says the credit was extended through December 31, 2025, and Form 5884 is used by employers to claim the credit for qualified wages. Since this is a 2026 page, employers should verify current availability and filing rules with the IRS and their state workforce agency before relying on it.
Can Felons Get Government Jobs?
Sometimes. A felony conviction does not automatically block every government job. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management says people with criminal records can work for the federal government, including formerly incarcerated people, although some jobs have statutory restrictions and suitability decisions are case-by-case.
Federal agencies and contractors also operate under Fair Chance Act timing rules in many situations, but that does not erase background checks. It usually changes when and how criminal-history questions can be asked. If you are interested in public-sector work, look beyond the obvious office jobs. Public works, fleet maintenance, parks, utilities, sanitation, facility maintenance, and equipment roles may be more realistic starting points than jobs involving law enforcement, sensitive data, money, or vulnerable people.
How to Get Hired With a Felony Record
You do not need a perfect life story. You need a credible next chapter and proof that you can do the work safely and reliably.
- Know what your background check may show. Get a copy of your record if possible, and know the exact conviction, date, and disposition.
- Check record-clearing options. The Clean Slate Clearinghouse provides information on record clearance policies across U.S. states and territories.
- Choose a path with realistic barriers. If your conviction creates problems for healthcare or security work, a construction, manufacturing, repair, or self-employment path may be smarter.
- Build proof. Certificates, OSHA training, a portfolio, references, clean attendance, volunteer work, and work samples can all help.
- Prepare a short explanation. Take responsibility without turning the interview into a courtroom documentary. Explain what changed, what you have done since, and why you are ready for this specific job.
- Use local support. Reentry programs, American Job Centers, workforce boards, legal aid groups, apprenticeships, and fair-chance job boards can open doors that cold applications do not.
- Ask direct questions before training. If a field is licensed or safety-sensitive, ask about background checks before signing enrollment paperwork.
Interview framing: "I made a serious mistake, served my sentence, and have focused on rebuilding through steady work and training. Since then, I've completed [training/certification], built [skill/proof], and I'm ready to show up reliably and do this job safely." Adjust the wording so it sounds like you, not a corporate apology robot.
FAQ About Jobs for Felons
What are the best jobs for felons?
The best options are often skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, repair, food service, logistics, self-employment, and some tech roles. The right path depends on your conviction, state rules, training needs, transportation, and local employers.
What trades can felons do?
Possible trades include welding, HVAC/R, carpentry, automotive repair, diesel repair, CNC machining, industrial maintenance, roofing, masonry, landscaping, and some plumbing or electrical helper paths. Licensed trades require extra checking.
Can felons go to trade school?
Often, yes. Many trade schools and career colleges can consider applicants with felony records. But you should verify whether your record could affect licensing, apprenticeships, externships, certification exams, or job placement after training.
What high-paying jobs can felons get?
Potential higher-paying paths include industrial maintenance, diesel repair, HVAC/R, welding, CNC programming, construction supervision, web development, technical sales, and self-employment. The highest-paying option is not always the lowest-barrier option.
Can felons work in healthcare?
Some can, but direct patient-care roles may involve stricter background checks, clinical placement rules, and licensing restrictions. Non-clinical roles such as facilities, environmental services, food service, and certain administrative roles may be more realistic, depending on the employer and conviction.
Can felons get professional licenses?
Sometimes. State licensing boards vary widely. Some occupations and states have fair-chance licensing rules; others have stricter limits or broad discretion. Contact the state board before choosing a licensed field.
Are there jobs for violent felons?
Yes, but restrictions can be tougher, especially in roles involving homes, vulnerable people, weapons, security, healthcare, schools, or public trust. Shop-based, industrial, construction, manufacturing, and outdoor work may be more realistic starting points.
Can felons get government jobs?
Sometimes. A felony record does not automatically block every federal, state, or local government job, but public-sector roles can involve suitability reviews, legal restrictions, security checks, driving requirements, or agency-specific rules. Public works, fleet maintenance, parks, utilities, sanitation, and facilities roles may be more realistic than law enforcement or sensitive-data jobs.
Are there good jobs for female felons?
Yes. Women with felony records can explore many of the same paths, including trades, repair, logistics, tech, culinary, healthcare support after verification, business, and self-employment. The best choice should reflect your safety, schedule, childcare needs, physical preferences, and local support network.
Do jobs exist with no background check?
Some small businesses, cash-based service businesses, local contractors, independent shops, and freelance clients may not run formal background checks. But you should not rely on "no background check" as the whole strategy. Building skills, checking record-clearing options, and targeting fair-chance employers is usually stronger.
Sources and Useful Resources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics tables for May 2025 wage data.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook for career outlook and training background.
- EEOC criminal records guidance for employers and resources for workers and job seekers with arrest or conviction records.
- National Conference of State Legislatures: licensing barriers for people with criminal records.
- Federal Student Aid: criminal convictions and federal aid after release.
- U.S. Department of Labor RESTART funding announcement for reentry employment in skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, registered apprenticeships, and training.
- U.S. Department of Labor Reentry Employment Opportunities overview for Federal Bonding Program and Clean Slate Clearinghouse notes.
- U.S. Department of Labor reentry resources for American Job Center, bonding, employer incentive, education, and training guidance.
- Federal Bonding Program for fidelity bonds for at-risk or hard-to-place job seekers.
- IRS Work Opportunity Tax Credit and IRS Form 5884.
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance on criminal records and federal employment.
- CareerOneStop resources for justice-impacted job seekers.
- Clean Slate Clearinghouse for state record-clearance information.
- National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction for state and federal restrictions related to convictions.
- TSA disqualifying offenses and factors for security-sensitive transportation credentials.
Start With Skills You Can Prove
Jobs for felons are not always easy to get, but the right training can give you something stronger than hope: proof. If you want a hands-on career path, start comparing skilled trade and technical programs near you.
