Top 25 High-Paying Jobs for Felons with No Background Check
Fundamentals

Top 25 High-Paying Jobs for Felons with No Background Check

Discover high-paying jobs for felons without background checks. Explore a list of 25 opportunities that can give you hope and a fresh start.

Created by

GCheck Editorial Team
GCheck Editorial Team

Reviewed by

Charm Paz, CHRP
Charm Paz, CHRP Recruiter & Editor

As of 2026, jobs that most consistently hire people with felony records without a traditional criminal background check tend to fall into three categories: (1) self-employed and freelance roles where the client controls the hiring decision, (2) skilled trades where state licensing rather than employer screening is the main gatekeeper, and (3) gig and hourly roles at smaller local employers with informal hiring cultures. Below, we cover 25 specific roles across these categories, including average U.S. pay, realistic notes on when a check may still apply, and what to expect by employer type and state.

Key Takeaways

  1. Many jobs for felons with no background check on this list are genuinely accessible, but availability is not absolute. Employer type, state law, and the nature of the role all determine what applies.
  2. Freelance, self-employed, and gig work typically give you the most control because clients, not corporate HR systems, make the hiring decision.
  3. Skilled trades like welding, solar installation, and HVAC often hire based on ability and certifications rather than background screens, though licensing boards in some states do consider criminal history.
  4. Ban-the-Box laws (active across many U.S. states and cities) delay background check questions until later in the hiring process, giving you a fair chance to be evaluated on your qualifications first. Verify your state's current rules with the National Employment Law Project (nelp.org).
  5. Fair Chance hiring is growing. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) gives employers a financial incentive to hire people with records. This is most useful to raise after a conditional offer has been made, not in early interviews, where doing so in Ban-the-Box states may require disclosing your record before an employer is permitted to ask.

Introduction

Finding stable, well-paying work after a felony conviction is one of the most difficult challenges in reentry. For justice-impacted individuals, many employers run background checks as a standard step, and a record can disqualify applicants before they ever speak to a hiring manager. For many, background checks create an insurmountable barrier, perpetuating a cycle of rejection and hopelessness.

But the employment landscape is not uniform. Some industries and employers are far more likely to evaluate candidates on skills, certifications, and attitude than on a background report. This guide to high paying jobs for felons with no background check identifies 25 roles where background check requirements are lower or where fair chance hiring creates a genuine opening, while being honest about where checks do still occur.

Throughout this guide, treat background check descriptions as general patterns, not guarantees. Requirements vary by employer, state, and year. Always verify current practices directly with a prospective employer or your state's labor board.

As Maya Angelou said, “We all have the potential to change. We all have the power to transform. We all have the capacity to give and receive second chances.” Yes, there is a great power in giving second chances. It is still possible to find a high-paying job despite having a criminal record. In today's constantly changing work environment, there are still opportunities that emphasize skills instead of previous mistakes. It offers individuals the chance to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully based on their knowledge, skills, and abilities. As HR professionals, by concentrating on skill development that does not require background checks, we can create opportunities for individuals who have the potential to succeed despite their history.

Charm Paz, CHRP
Charm Paz, CHRP

Understanding the Employment Landscape for People with Records

The United States has made measurable progress on fair chance hiring over the past decade, expanding access to jobs for felons and other justice-impacted workers. Enforcement and access remain uneven across states and industries, but the direction of change is clear.

What Ban-the-Box Laws Actually Do

Ban-the-Box policies prohibit employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications, pushing that question to later in the hiring process. This gives applicants the opportunity to be evaluated on qualifications first and to explain their record in context. As of 2026, the majority of U.S. states have some form of Ban-the-Box law, covering both public and, in many jurisdictions, private employers. Coverage varies significantly by city and county as well. Check the National Employment Law Project tracker (nelp.org) for current rules in your state.

What the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Means for You

Employers who hire people with felony convictions within a year of conviction or release may qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $2,400 through the WOTC program. This is most effective to raise after a conditional offer has been made, not in early interviews, where doing so may require disclosing your record before an employer is legally permitted to ask, especially in states with Ban-the-Box protections.

When Background Checks Are Most Common

Regardless of industry, certain conditions make the background check process more likely to apply: jobs involving children or vulnerable adults, roles with access to financial accounts or controlled substances, positions requiring a professional state license, and employment at large corporations with standardized HR processes. The 25 roles below are profiled with these patterns in mind.

Criteria for Including These Jobs

Top 25 High-Paying Jobs for Felons with No Background Check

Each entry covers skills, average pay, why the role tends to work as a no background check job for people with records, an honest note on background check variability, and free training resources to get started.

1. Freelance Writer

2. Web Developer / Programmer

3. Graphic Designer

4. Electrician

5. Plumber

6. Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)

7. Solar Panel Installer

8. HVAC Technician

9. Welder

10. Landscaper / Groundskeeper

11. Construction Worker / Laborer

12. Heavy Equipment Operator

13. Chef / Line Cook

14. Painter (Commercial / Residential)

15. Forklift Operator

16. Barber

17. Auto Mechanic

18. Mover / Moving Professional

19. Roofer

20. Tattoo Artist

21. Truck Dispatcher

22. Home Health Aide

23. Recycling Technician / Waste Handler

24. Warehouse Associate

25. Delivery Driver (Independent / Gig)

Jobs Where Background Checks Are Likely: Why Fair Chance Hiring Still Gives You Options

Some of the roles people search for when looking for jobs that don't require background checks are also ones where checks are standard practice. Being clear about this serves you better than being surprised at the application stage.

Roles with near-universal background checks include nursing and direct patient care, teaching, childcare, jobs involving access to controlled substances, financial roles with fiduciary responsibility, and security work. However, "check required" does not always mean "application denied." Here's why:

Resources: EEOC guidance on criminal records and employment (eeoc.gov), WOTC information (irs.gov/wotc), National Inventory of Collateral Consequences (niccc.csgjusticecenter.org)

Tips for Finding Felon-Friendly Jobs

Be Strategic About Which Employers You Target

Employer type and hiring culture matter more than company size. A warehouse associate role at a family-owned distribution company operates very differently from the same title at Amazon. Prioritize family-owned operations, regional businesses, and companies that have publicly stated fair chance hiring commitments. These are more reliable signals than headcount alone.

Use Reentry-Specific Job Boards

Platforms like 70MillionJobs, Honest Jobs, and Jail to Jobs specifically connect people with records to employers who have committed to fair chance hiring. These are your highest-probability starting points and save you from applying blindly.

Address Your Record Proactively

If asked, be honest, brief, and forward-focused: name what happened, state what you have done since, and redirect to what you bring to the role. Many hiring managers respect directness more than evasion. Rehearse this before interviews so it comes across confidently.

Build Credentials That Speak for Themselves

Certifications like OSHA 10, ServSafe, ASE, EPA 608, AWS welding certifications, and CDL are credentials that signal competence before a background check ever comes up. They shift the conversation from your record to your qualifications and give any employer a concrete reason to move forward.

Conclusion

A felony record limits options, and that is worth acknowledging honestly. But it does not eliminate them. The 25 roles in this guide are among the best jobs for felons available today: fields where skills, certifications, and reliability consistently outweigh employment verification and background reports in hiring decisions, particularly at smaller employers and in self-employment contexts.

The most important next steps: research your specific state's licensing rules for any trade you're considering, identify employers with explicit fair chance commitments, build credentials that speak before a background check is ever requested, and consult a reentry legal aid organization about whether expungement is available to you.

The employment landscape continues to change as more employers adopt fair chance policies and Ban-the-Box coverage expands. Verify current employer policies directly. This guide provides a practical starting framework, not a guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a felon get a job without a background check?

Yes, in many cases. There are jobs for felons where background checks are less common or vary significantly by employer, particularly in freelance and self-employed work, small local businesses, and some gig platforms. The key is targeting employers where skill and reliability drive the hiring decision. Background check practices vary by employer, state, and role, so always verify directly before applying.

What is the highest-paying job for someone with a felony record?

Within the roles listed here, web development and commercial truck driving tend to offer the highest earning potential: $60,000 to $110,000+ for experienced developers and $55,000 to $85,000+ for OTR truckers. Skilled trades (electrician, plumber, HVAC) also have strong earnings once licensing is secured. In practice, the best option depends on your existing skills, your state's licensing rules, and specific employer fair chance policies.

Do trucking companies hire people with felony convictions?

Some do. The industry has a persistent driver shortage and a number of carriers actively participate in fair chance hiring. The CDL process includes DOT pre-employment screening, a drug test, and a criminal background check, and certain drug convictions carry mandatory FMCSA disqualification periods that may be permanent. Review fmcsa.dot.gov before investing in CDL training, and use reentry-focused job boards to find carriers with stated fair chance policies.

How long does a felony stay on a background check?

Under the FCRA, non-conviction records generally cannot be reported after 7 years for positions paying under $75,000 annually; for higher-paying roles, they may be reportable beyond that window. Convictions can typically be reported indefinitely under federal law, regardless of pay level. State law often provides stronger protections, with some states imposing shorter lookback periods. A reentry attorney or legal aid clinic can advise on what applies in your state.

What is Ban-the-Box and does it apply to my job search?

Ban-the-Box policies remove criminal history questions from initial job applications, requiring employers to evaluate candidates on qualifications first. Policies vary significantly: some apply only to public employers, others extend to private employers. Some cities and counties have ordinances that go further than state law. Verify current coverage in your state and city through the National Employment Law Project (nelp.org).

GCheck Editorial Team
ABOUT THE CREATOR

GCheck Editorial Team

Meet the GCheck Editorial Team, your trusted source for insightful and up-to-date information in the world of employment background checks. Committed to delivering the latest trends, best practices, and industry insights, our team is dedicated to keeping you informed.

With a passion for ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in background screening, we are your go-to experts in the field. Stay tuned for our comprehensive articles, guides, and analysis, designed to empower businesses and individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or a substitute for consultation with qualified legal counsel. While we strive to ensure accuracy, employment screening laws and regulations—including but not limited to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines, state and local ban-the-box laws, industry-specific requirements, and other applicable federal, state, and local statutes—are subject to frequent changes, varying interpretations, and jurisdiction-specific applications that may affect their implementation in your organization. Employers and screening decision-makers are solely responsible for ensuring their background check policies, procedures, and practices comply with all applicable laws and regulations relevant to their specific industry, location, and circumstances. We strongly recommend consulting with qualified employment law attorneys and compliance professionals before making hiring, tenant screening, or other decisions based on background check information.