Felony Friendly Jobs in Springfield, MO
Springfield is the third-largest city in Missouri and a regional hub for healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Bass Pro Shops is headquartered here. CoxHealth and Mercy Hospital are major employers. Missouri's voter-approved minimum wage increases have raised the floor to $13.75/hr. The cost of living is very affordable. While there are no local ban-the-box protections (unlike Kansas City and St. Louis), the labor market is tight enough that many employers work with staffing agencies that place people with records.
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Top Employers in Springfield That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Springfield, MO 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.
Target uses individualized assessment for applicants with records. Ban the Box compliant nationwide.
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.
FedEx Ground contractors frequently hire people with records. FedEx Express has stricter requirements.
Best Industries in Springfield for People With Records
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Retail (Bass Pro Shops HQ)
- ✓Manufacturing
- ✓Education
- ✓Food processing
Staffing Agencies in Springfield That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Springfield metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Express Employment Professionals
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Staffmark
Missouri Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Missouri does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers. Springfield does not have a local ban-the-box ordinance.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Missouri does not have a statewide fair chance hiring law for private employers. Kansas City and St. Louis have local ordinances but Springfield does not. Federal EEOC guidelines apply.
Minimum Wage
$13.75/hr (Missouri state minimum — adjusted annually per voter-approved increases)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Springfield
- 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 Springfield
- Missouri Job Center — Springfield
- Goodwill Industries of the Ozarks
- Victory Mission
- Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation
- Council of Churches of the Ozarks
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Springfield?
- Springfield offers opportunities in healthcare support, manufacturing, warehouse and logistics (Amazon, FedEx), food processing, retail (Walmart, Target, Bass Pro Shops), and construction. Staffing agencies are a major pathway.
- Does Springfield have ban-the-box laws?
- No. Springfield does not have a local ban-the-box ordinance, and Missouri does not have a statewide law for private employers. Kansas City and St. Louis have local ordinances, but Springfield does not.
- What staffing agencies in Springfield hire felons?
- Staffing agencies in Springfield include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Staffmark. Manufacturing and warehouse temp jobs are the most common placements.
- What is the minimum wage in Springfield?
- Missouri's state minimum wage is $13.75 per hour, thanks to voter-approved increases. This applies throughout Springfield and is well above the federal minimum.
Related Resources
Company hiring guides
More resources
- HousingSecond chance apartments in Springfield, MO→
- ExpungementExpungement in Missouri→
- Background ChecksHow far back do background checks go? →
- EducationCDL training programs →
- EducationTrade schools for felons →