7 Jobs That Pay The Bills Even If You Have a Felony

February 4, 2020 | Career Blog

There are millions of convicted felons in America who have served their time but are still struggling to find a job that they can survive on. In fact, jobs for felons is often one of the hardest hurdles to overcome after prison.

You may feel like employers have lumped you in with other individuals despite serving time for completely different reasons. If you have found yourself in this position, do not give up hope!

You would be surprised just how many opportunities there are out there for people just like you. Additionally, there are resources completely dedicated to helping you get a second chance in the workforce.

To give you an idea of the direction you may want to start looking for a new job, we have made a list of seven jobs for felons that will actually pay the bills.

Jobs That Felons Often Take After Prison

1. Mechanical Engineering Technician
Average Salary: $55,360
Job Description:

• Making layouts and charts that show how to put parts together.
• Going over drawings for new tools.
• Going over changes with coworkers.
• Looking over instructions and blueprints to ensure that objectives will be met and follow standard procedure.
• Conduct tests to evaluate new components after they have been built and implemented.
• Estimate how well equipment will sustain and labor cost.

2. Electrician
Average Salary: $54,110
Job Description:

• Inspecting electrical components in the workplace.
• Installing wiring and lighting systems.
• Repairing wiring and equipment with the use of power and hand tools.
• Training employees to install and repair electrical equipment and wiring.

3. Commercial Truck Driver
Average Salary: $42,480
Job Description:

• Ensuring items being transported are secured with ropes, chains or covers.
• Informing dispatch of any problems that may occur on the road.
• Logging hours and conditions of the vehicle throughout the trip.
• Keeping the truck and any other equipment used in good working condition.

4. Material Moving Machine Operator
Average Salary: $34,830
Job Description:

• Setting up and test moving equipment.
• Directing movers to load and unload materials.
• Recording equipment that has been moved.
• Making necessary minor repairs to equipment.

5. Construction Laborer
Average Salary: $33,450
Job Description:

• Ensuring the workspace is safe and clear of debris.
• Building or taking down scaffolding or temporary structures to achieve a project.
• Transporting materials that are to be used during construction.
• Digging into earth to prepare for construction.
• Operating all equipment using assigned safety precautions in construction.
• Follow instructions from the managers and supervisors for the project.

6. Material Recording Clerk
Average Salary: $27,600
Job Description:
Recording what its have shipped or were transferred to another location.
Reporting and changes that have occurred for inventory or production.
Sorting and moving products between different business locations.
Checking records to ensure inventory monitoring is correct.

7. Cook
Average Salary: $23,970
Job Description:

• Checking that food is fresh and able to be served.
• Keeping in line with health codes defined by the state.
• Baking, grilling, boiling, chopping, and frying foods.
• Keeping work areas clean and sanitized.
• Learning ingredients and proper food storing and handling practices.

Find Help Getting a Job Placement

These are a few examples of the types of jobs that are available to convicted felons who have completed their prison sentence. By speaking to a staffing agency, you will be able to explore the various industries hiring for someone with your skills and experience to find a job that is in line with your goals.

Staffing agencies such as Allegiance Staffing work directly with employers to determine the best job for an individual with your background. With jobs available in industries such as manufacturing, warehouse, and skilled labor, we are confident that we can find a job that fits you. For more information on the jobs available to you, contact us today.