Felony Friendly Jobs in San Diego, CA
San Diego offers a strong job market combined with California's robust fair chance hiring protections. The Fair Chance Act (AB 1008) prevents employers with 5 or more employees from asking about criminal history until after a conditional offer. The city's economy is driven by military and defense, biotech, tourism, and healthcare. While the cost of living is high, California's $16.85/hr minimum wage and the city's diverse economy provide real opportunities.
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Top Employers in San Diego That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near San Diego, 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.
Starbucks is a recognized second-chance employer and actively hires people with criminal records.
CVS is Ban the Box compliant and considers records individually. Pharmacy roles have stricter requirements.
Safeway (Albertsons-owned) runs background checks but considers records individually. Grocery and warehouse roles.
Best Industries in San Diego for People With Records
- ✓Military & defense
- ✓Biotechnology
- ✓Tourism & hospitality
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Construction
Staffing Agencies in San Diego That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the San Diego metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Express Employment Professionals
- Aerotek
California Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
California has a statewide ban-the-box law (AB 1008, Fair Chance Act) that applies to employers with 5 or more employees. San Diego 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. Employers must conduct individualized assessment and cannot consider most marijuana convictions, older arrests, or dismissed charges.
Minimum Wage
$16.85/hr (California state minimum — San Diego follows state minimum)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in San Diego
- 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 Diego
- San Diego Workforce Partnership
- Goodwill San Diego
- Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
- Second Chance
- Urban League of San Diego County
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in San Diego?
- San Diego's strongest industries for people with records are hospitality and tourism (hotels, restaurants, event venues), construction, logistics (near the port and border), and food service. The military presence creates demand for construction and support services. Retail giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Target also have significant operations.
- Does San Diego have ban-the-box laws?
- Yes. California's Fair Chance Act (AB 1008) applies statewide, including San Diego. Employers with 5 or more employees cannot ask about criminal history on applications or during interviews. Background checks happen after a conditional job offer, and employers must use individualized assessment.
- What is the minimum wage in San Diego?
- San Diego follows California's state minimum wage of $16.85 per hour. Fast food workers at chains with 60+ locations earn $20.00 per hour under AB 1228. Healthcare workers have a separate minimum of $25.00/hr.
- What reentry programs are available in San Diego?
- San Diego has several strong reentry organizations. Second Chance (based in San Diego) is a nationally recognized program providing employment, housing, and support services. The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides transitional employment. Goodwill San Diego and the Urban League also offer employment assistance.
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