Felony Friendly Jobs in Amarillo, TX
Amarillo is a Texas Panhandle city with a strong meatpacking and food processing industry (Tyson Foods and other processors are major employers). The agricultural economy includes cattle ranching and feedlots. Healthcare is significant. The cost of living is very low. Meatpacking and food processing plants are among the most accessible employers for people with records, frequently hiring through staffing agencies with minimal background requirements.
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Top Employers in Amarillo That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Amarillo, TX and are known to consider applicants with criminal records.
Walmart considers applicants with records on a case-by-case basis. Violent and theft-related felonies may disqualify.
Tyson Foods is one of the most felon-friendly large employers. Meat processing and production roles widely available.
Dollar General conducts background checks but is known to hire people with non-violent felony records.
McDonald's franchise owners set their own hiring policies. Many locations do hire people with records.
Lowe's uses individualized assessment. Some positions involving driving or equipment have stricter checks.
Home Depot considers applicants with records individually. Theft and violent felonies may be disqualifying.
Best Industries in Amarillo for People With Records
- ✓Meatpacking & food processing
- ✓Agriculture
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Energy (helium, wind)
- ✓Retail
Staffing Agencies in Amarillo That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Amarillo metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Express Employment Professionals
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Labor Finders
Texas Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Texas has no statewide ban-the-box law for private employers. Amarillo does not have a local ban-the-box ordinance.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Texas does not have a statewide fair chance hiring law for private employers. Federal EEOC guidelines apply.
Minimum Wage
$7.25/hr (federal minimum — no state minimum above federal)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Amarillo
- 1.Start with staffing agencies. Temp agencies are often the fastest way to get working. They have relationships with employers who are willing to hire people with records, and a temp-to-hire position can become a permanent job.
- 2.Apply to multiple places at once. Do not wait for one application to come back before applying to the next. Apply to 5-10 places in the same week. The more applications you send, the better your chances.
- 3.Be honest about your record. If asked, be upfront. Lying about your criminal history is grounds for immediate termination if discovered later. Briefly acknowledge what happened, explain what you have learned, and focus on what you bring to the job.
- 4.Focus on industries with high demand. Warehouse, logistics, construction, and food service jobs tend to be the most accessible for people with records because these industries have chronic worker shortages.
- 5.Use local reentry programs. Organizations like Goodwill, workforce development centers, and reentry coalitions can connect you with employers who actively hire people with records. They often know about job openings before they are publicly posted.
- 6.Know your rights. Under the EEOC guidelines, employers must use individualized assessment — they cannot have a blanket ban on hiring people with records. Under the FCRA, you have the right to see and dispute your background check. If you are in a ban-the-box state or city, employers cannot ask about your record until later in the hiring process.
Reentry Employment Programs in Amarillo
- Workforce Solutions Panhandle — Amarillo
- Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas
- Amarillo Area Center for Advanced Learning
- Downtown Women's Center
- High Plains Food Bank (employment programs)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Amarillo?
- Amarillo's meatpacking and food processing plants (Tyson Foods and others) are major employers that frequently hire people with records. Other opportunities include agriculture, food service, retail (Walmart, Dollar General), and construction. Staffing agencies are a primary pathway into processing plants.
- Does Amarillo have ban-the-box laws?
- No. Texas does not have a statewide ban-the-box law, and Amarillo does not have a local ordinance. Employers can ask about criminal history on applications.
- What staffing agencies in Amarillo hire felons?
- Staffing agencies in Amarillo include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Labor Finders. Meatpacking and food processing placements are especially common.
- What is the minimum wage in Amarillo?
- The minimum wage in Amarillo is $7.25 per hour (federal minimum). Meatpacking and food processing jobs typically start at $14-$18 per hour with overtime opportunities.
Related Resources
Company hiring guides
More resources
- ExpungementExpungement in Texas→
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- EducationCDL training programs →
- EducationTrade schools for felons →