Felony Friendly Jobs in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento is California's capital city with a strong state government sector, growing healthcare industry, and expanding logistics operations. California's Fair Chance Act provides robust protections. The cost of living is significantly lower than the San Francisco Bay Area, making it an attractive option for people starting over in California. Agriculture and food processing in the Central Valley also provide employment pathways.
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Top Employers in Sacramento That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Sacramento, CA 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.
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.
Safeway (Albertsons-owned) runs background checks but considers records individually. Grocery and warehouse roles.
Costco does background checks but considers records individually. Known for second-chance hiring in warehouses.
Home Depot considers applicants with records individually. Theft and violent felonies may be disqualifying.
Best Industries in Sacramento for People With Records
- ✓State government
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Logistics
- ✓Construction
- ✓Agriculture
Staffing Agencies in Sacramento That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Sacramento metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Manpower
- Express Employment Professionals
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Aerotek
California Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
California has a statewide Fair Chance Act (AB 1008) applying to employers with 5+ employees. Sacramento follows the state law.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
California's Fair Chance Act prohibits employers with 5+ employees from asking about criminal history before a conditional offer. Sacramento employers must follow all state protections.
Minimum Wage
$16.85/hr (California state minimum)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Sacramento
- 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 Sacramento
- Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA)
- Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley
- Volunteers of America Northern California
- Sacramento County Reentry Services
- Women's Empowerment
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Sacramento?
- Sacramento offers opportunities in state government (many positions are accessible), healthcare support, logistics (Amazon, UPS, FedEx), construction, and food service. Agriculture and food processing in the surrounding area also provide seasonal and year-round employment.
- Does Sacramento have ban-the-box laws?
- Yes. California's Fair Chance Act applies to all employers with 5 or more employees. Sacramento follows the state law. Employers cannot ask about criminal history until after a conditional offer and must use individualized assessment.
- What is the minimum wage in Sacramento?
- Sacramento follows California's state minimum wage of $16.85 per hour. Fast food workers at chains with 60+ locations earn $20.00/hr. These wages are significantly higher than the national average.
- Is Sacramento affordable compared to other California cities?
- Yes. Sacramento is significantly more affordable than San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles. Housing costs are lower, and the city provides access to California's strong worker protections and high minimum wage at a more affordable cost of living.
Related Resources
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