Felony Friendly Jobs in Miami, FL
Miami's economy is built on tourism, hospitality, and international trade — industries that create constant demand for workers. The Port of Miami is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, and Miami International Airport drives logistics employment. Hotels, restaurants, and event venues throughout the metro need workers year-round. While Florida lacks statewide ban-the-box protections, the hospitality industry's high turnover means employers are often willing to give second chances.
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Top Employers in Miami That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Miami, FL and are known to consider applicants with criminal records.
Amazon hires people with felony records for most warehouse and delivery roles. Background checks are individualized.
Walmart considers applicants with records on a case-by-case basis. Violent and theft-related felonies may disqualify.
Publix is employee-owned and considers applicants individually. Florida-based with Southeast locations.
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.
Marriott is the largest hotel chain with fair chance hiring pledges. Considers applicants individually.
Hilton runs background checks but uses individualized assessment. Back-of-house roles more accessible.
Best Industries in Miami for People With Records
- ✓Tourism & hospitality
- ✓Logistics & port operations
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Construction
- ✓Food service
Staffing Agencies in Miami That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Miami metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Manpower
- Express Employment Professionals
- Adecco
- Kelly Services
- Labor Finders
Florida Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Florida does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers. Miami-Dade County has a ban-the-box ordinance for county government employment.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Florida does not have statewide fair chance hiring legislation for private employers. Miami-Dade County's ban-the-box applies to county positions. Federal EEOC guidelines apply to all employers.
Minimum Wage
$13.00/hr (Florida state minimum)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Miami
- 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 Miami
- CareerSource South Florida
- Goodwill of South Florida
- Camillus House
- Reentry Alliance Pensacola / South Florida programs
- United Way of Miami-Dade
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Miami?
- Miami has strong opportunities in hospitality and tourism (hotels, restaurants, cruise line support), logistics (Port of Miami, airport operations), construction, and food service. The constant flow of tourists means hotels and restaurants always need workers. Warehouse and distribution jobs around the port and airport also provide opportunities.
- Does Miami have ban-the-box laws?
- Florida does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers. Miami-Dade County has a ban-the-box ordinance for county government employment only. Private employers can ask about criminal history on applications, though federal EEOC guidelines still apply.
- What staffing agencies in Miami hire felons?
- Major staffing agencies in Miami that work with people with records include Manpower, Express Employment Professionals, Adecco, Kelly Services, and Labor Finders. The hospitality and logistics sectors create steady demand for temporary workers.
- What is the minimum wage in Miami?
- Miami follows Florida's state minimum wage of $13.00 per hour. This is significantly higher than the federal minimum and applies to all workers. Tipped workers receive a lower base rate ($9.98/hr) plus tips. Many hotel and logistics jobs pay above minimum wage.
Related Resources
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