Felony Friendly Jobs in Tacoma, WA
Tacoma sits on Commencement Bay with the Port of Tacoma (one of the largest container ports on the West Coast), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and a growing manufacturing sector. The city has its own fair chance employment ordinance on top of Washington's state Fair Chance Act, providing some of the strongest protections in the country. Tacoma's city minimum wage of $17.26/hr is higher than the state minimum, and the cost of living is significantly lower than nearby Seattle.
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Top Employers in Tacoma That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Tacoma, WA 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.
Home Depot considers applicants with records individually. Theft and violent felonies may be disqualifying.
Kroger hires people with records for many store and warehouse positions. Pharmacy roles are more restricted.
Best Industries in Tacoma for People With Records
- ✓Port operations & logistics
- ✓Military & defense
- ✓Manufacturing
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Construction
Staffing Agencies in Tacoma That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Tacoma metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Manpower
- Express Employment Professionals
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Aerotek
Washington Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Washington State has a statewide Fair Chance Act (2018). Tacoma also has its own local fair chance employment ordinance providing additional protections.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Washington's Fair Chance Act and Tacoma's local fair chance ordinance both prohibit employers from asking about criminal history on initial applications. Tacoma's ordinance covers employers with one or more employees.
Minimum Wage
$17.26/hr (Tacoma city minimum wage — higher than state minimum)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Tacoma
- 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 Tacoma
- WorkSource Pierce County
- Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region
- Pioneer Human Services — Tacoma
- Associated Ministries
- Tacoma Rescue Mission (employment programs)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Tacoma?
- Tacoma's top sectors for people with records are port operations and logistics (Port of Tacoma, Amazon, UPS), construction, manufacturing, healthcare support, and food service. The military base creates civilian support demand.
- Does Tacoma have ban-the-box laws?
- Yes. Tacoma has its own local fair chance employment ordinance plus Washington State's Fair Chance Act. Employers cannot ask about criminal history on applications. Tacoma's ordinance covers employers with one or more employees.
- What staffing agencies in Tacoma hire felons?
- Staffing agencies in Tacoma include Manpower, Express Employment Professionals, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Aerotek. Port logistics and warehouse staffing are especially active.
- What is the minimum wage in Tacoma?
- Tacoma has its own city minimum wage of $17.26 per hour, higher than Washington's state minimum of $16.66. This makes even entry-level positions relatively well-paying.
Related Resources
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