Felony Friendly Jobs in Pensacola, FL
Pensacola sits on the Gulf Coast with Naval Air Station Pensacola (the 'Cradle of Naval Aviation') as a major economic driver. Tourism and beach-related hospitality are huge seasonal employers. Healthcare is growing. The cost of living is lower than most Florida metros (much cheaper than Miami or Tampa). Florida's minimum wage has been increasing toward $15/hr. The hospitality and construction industries frequently hire people with records.
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Top Employers in Pensacola That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Pensacola, FL 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.
Dollar General conducts background checks but is known to hire people with non-violent felony records.
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.
Home Depot considers applicants with records individually. Theft and violent felonies may be disqualifying.
McDonald's franchise owners set their own hiring policies. Many locations do hire people with records.
Best Industries in Pensacola for People With Records
- ✓Military (NAS Pensacola)
- ✓Tourism & hospitality
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Construction
- ✓Retail
Staffing Agencies in Pensacola That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Pensacola metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Express Employment Professionals
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- 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. Pensacola does not have a local ban-the-box ordinance.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Florida does not have a statewide fair chance hiring law for private employers. Federal EEOC guidelines apply.
Minimum Wage
$13.00/hr (Florida state minimum — increasing $1/year toward $15 by 2026)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Pensacola
- 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 Pensacola
- CareerSource Escarosa
- Goodwill Industries of Northwest Florida
- Waterfront Rescue Mission
- Escambia County Reentry Coalition
- REBUILD Northwest Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Pensacola?
- Pensacola offers opportunities in hospitality and tourism (hotels, restaurants, beach services), construction, food service, retail (Walmart, Dollar General, Home Depot), and healthcare support. The military base presence creates civilian support jobs.
- Does Pensacola have ban-the-box laws?
- No. Florida does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers, and Pensacola does not have a local ordinance. Employers can ask about criminal history on applications.
- What staffing agencies in Pensacola hire felons?
- Staffing agencies in Pensacola include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Labor Finders. Hospitality and construction staffing are especially active.
- What is the minimum wage in Pensacola?
- Florida's state minimum wage is $13.00 per hour and is increasing $1 per year toward $15.00. Hospitality and construction jobs often pay above minimum wage.
Related Resources
Company hiring guides
More resources
- ExpungementExpungement in Florida→
- Background ChecksHow far back do background checks go? →
- EducationCDL training programs →
- EducationTrade schools for felons →