Felony Friendly Jobs in Portland, OR
Portland combines a diverse economy with strong ban-the-box protections. Oregon's statewide law prevents employers with 6 or more employees from asking about criminal history before an interview. The city's economy spans technology, manufacturing, food and beverage, and construction. Express Employment Professionals, one of the most felon-friendly staffing agencies, is headquartered in Portland (Oklahoma City operations center). The Portland metro minimum wage of $15.95/hr provides more livable entry-level wages.
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Top Employers in Portland That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Portland, OR 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.
Target uses individualized assessment for applicants with records. Ban the Box compliant nationwide.
Costco does background checks but considers records individually. Known for second-chance hiring in warehouses.
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.
Starbucks is a recognized second-chance employer and actively hires people with criminal records.
Whole Foods (Amazon-owned) follows Amazon's fair chance approach. Background checks are individualized.
Best Industries in Portland for People With Records
- ✓Technology
- ✓Manufacturing
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Construction
- ✓Food & beverage
Staffing Agencies in Portland That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Portland metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Express Employment Professionals
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Aerotek
Oregon Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Oregon has a statewide ban-the-box law (2016) that applies to all employers with 6 or more employees. Portland has been a leader in fair chance hiring since 2016.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Oregon's ban-the-box law prohibits employers with 6+ employees from asking about criminal history before an interview. Portland's local protections align with state law. Oregon also prohibits consideration of expunged records.
Minimum Wage
$14.70/hr (Oregon state minimum — Portland metro minimum is $15.95/hr)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Portland
- 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 Portland
- Multnomah County Reentry Council
- Sponsors Inc.
- Central City Concern
- Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette
- Oregon Department of Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Portland?
- Portland has strong opportunities in manufacturing, construction, food and beverage (Oregon has a thriving craft food and beverage scene), logistics (Amazon, UPS, FedEx), and food service. The technology sector also has some support and warehouse roles that are accessible.
- Does Portland have ban-the-box laws?
- Yes. Oregon has a statewide ban-the-box law (2016) that applies to employers with 6 or more employees. Employers cannot ask about criminal history on applications or before an interview. Oregon also prohibits employers from considering expunged records.
- What is the minimum wage in Portland?
- The Portland metro area minimum wage is $15.95 per hour, higher than the standard Oregon state minimum of $14.70. This applies to the Portland metro area including Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties.
- What reentry resources are available in Portland?
- Portland has several strong reentry organizations. Central City Concern provides comprehensive services including housing, employment, and treatment. Sponsors Inc. is a well-known Oregon reentry organization. The Multnomah County Reentry Council coordinates services across the region. Goodwill Industries also provides employment assistance.
Related Resources
More resources
- HousingSecond chance apartments in Portland, OR→
- ExpungementExpungement in Oregon→
- Background ChecksHow far back do background checks go? →
- EducationCDL training programs →
- EducationTrade schools for felons →