Felony Friendly Jobs in Charleston, SC
Charleston is one of the fastest-growing cities in the South, driven by tourism, the Port of Charleston, Boeing's 787 Dreamliner assembly plant, and a booming construction sector. The tourism and hospitality industry creates thousands of restaurant, hotel, and service jobs that are often accessible to people with records. The port drives logistics and warehouse employment. While there are no ban-the-box protections, the tight labor market helps.
Last updated:
Top Employers in Charleston That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Charleston, SC 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.
Amazon hires people with felony records for most warehouse and delivery roles. Background checks are individualized.
Target uses individualized assessment for applicants with records. Ban the Box compliant nationwide.
UPS hires felons for package handler roles. Driver and management positions have stricter background requirements.
FedEx Ground contractors frequently hire people with records. FedEx Express has stricter requirements.
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 Charleston for People With Records
- ✓Tourism & hospitality
- ✓Port operations & logistics
- ✓Aerospace (Boeing)
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Construction
Staffing Agencies in Charleston That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Charleston metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Express Employment Professionals
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Randstad
South Carolina Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
South Carolina does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers. Charleston does not have a local ban-the-box ordinance.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
South Carolina does not have a statewide fair chance hiring law for private employers. Federal EEOC guidelines apply.
Minimum Wage
$7.25/hr (federal minimum — South Carolina has no state minimum wage law)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Charleston
- 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 Charleston
- SC Works Trident
- Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina
- Palmetto Community Action Partnership
- Charleston County Reentry Program
- Lowcountry Workforce Investment Board
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Charleston?
- Charleston offers strong opportunities in hospitality and tourism (restaurants, hotels), port logistics and warehouse work, construction (the area is booming), food service, and retail (Walmart, Target, Home Depot). The growth rate creates constant demand.
- Does Charleston have ban-the-box laws?
- No. South Carolina does not have a statewide ban-the-box law, and Charleston does not have a local ordinance. Employers can ask about criminal history on applications.
- What staffing agencies in Charleston hire felons?
- Staffing agencies in Charleston include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Randstad. Hospitality, warehouse, and construction staffing are active.
- What is the minimum wage in Charleston?
- The minimum wage in Charleston is $7.25 per hour (federal minimum). South Carolina does not have a state minimum wage law. Tourism and hospitality jobs often pay $10-$15 per hour plus tips, while construction and logistics jobs start higher.
Related Resources
More resources
- ExpungementExpungement in South Carolina→
- Background ChecksHow far back do background checks go? →
- EducationCDL training programs →
- EducationTrade schools for felons →