Felony Friendly Jobs in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the country with a diversified economy driven by military and defense, healthcare, tourism, and a growing tech sector. H-E-B, one of the most felon-friendly grocery chains, is headquartered here. The city passed a fair chance hiring ordinance in 2019 for employers with 25 or more employees. The cost of living is lower than most major Texas cities, and the job market is strong across multiple sectors.
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Top Employers in San Antonio That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near San Antonio, TX 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.
H-E-B is a Texas-based grocer known to give second chances. Warehouse and in-store roles available.
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.
Dollar General conducts background checks but is known to hire people with non-violent felony records.
Lowe's uses individualized assessment. Some positions involving driving or equipment have stricter checks.
McDonald's franchise owners set their own hiring policies. Many locations do hire people with records.
Best Industries in San Antonio for People With Records
- ✓Military & defense
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Tourism & hospitality
- ✓Construction
- ✓Logistics
Staffing Agencies in San Antonio That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the San Antonio metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Express Employment Professionals
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Labor Finders
- Adecco
Texas Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Texas has no statewide ban-the-box law for private employers. San Antonio passed a fair chance hiring ordinance in 2019 for private employers with 25 or more employees.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
San Antonio's fair chance ordinance (2019) prohibits employers with 25+ employees from asking about criminal history until after an interview. This gives applicants a chance to present their qualifications first.
Minimum Wage
$7.25/hr (federal minimum — no state minimum above federal)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in San Antonio
- 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 San Antonio
- Alamo Area Workforce Solutions
- Goodwill San Antonio
- SA Works
- Bexar County Reentry Center
- San Antonio Food Bank (employment programs)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in San Antonio?
- San Antonio has strong opportunities in retail (H-E-B, Walmart, Target), logistics (Amazon, UPS), construction, food service, and healthcare support. H-E-B, headquartered in San Antonio, is one of the most second-chance-friendly grocery chains. The military base presence also drives demand for construction and support services.
- Does San Antonio have ban-the-box laws?
- Yes. San Antonio passed a fair chance hiring ordinance in 2019 that applies to private employers with 25 or more employees. The ordinance delays criminal history inquiries until after an interview, giving applicants a chance to be evaluated on qualifications first.
- What staffing agencies in San Antonio hire felons?
- Major staffing agencies in San Antonio that work with people with records include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Labor Finders, and Adecco. These agencies place workers in warehouse, construction, manufacturing, and general labor positions.
- Is San Antonio affordable for people starting over?
- Yes. San Antonio has one of the lowest costs of living among major U.S. cities. Housing is significantly cheaper than Austin, Dallas, or Houston. Combined with no state income tax and a strong job market, San Antonio is one of the most affordable places to rebuild.
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