Felony Friendly Jobs in Tallahassee, FL
Tallahassee is Florida's capital city, with state government and two major universities (Florida State University and Florida A&M University) anchoring the economy. Healthcare is also significant. The job market is heavily influenced by government and education, which means many positions have background check requirements. However, food service, retail, and construction provide opportunities for people with records. The cost of living is moderate by Florida standards.
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Top Employers in Tallahassee That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Tallahassee, FL 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.
Dollar General conducts background checks but is known to hire people with non-violent felony records.
Target uses individualized assessment for applicants with records. Ban the Box compliant nationwide.
McDonald's franchise owners set their own hiring policies. Many locations do hire people with records.
Publix is employee-owned and considers applicants individually. Florida-based with Southeast locations.
Walgreens hires people with records for non-pharmacy store roles. Pharmacy positions require clean records.
Best Industries in Tallahassee for People With Records
- ✓Government
- ✓Education (FSU, FAMU)
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Retail
- ✓Food service
Staffing Agencies in Tallahassee That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Tallahassee metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Express Employment Professionals
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Randstad
Florida Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Florida does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers. Tallahassee does not have a local ban-the-box ordinance for private employers.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Florida does not have a statewide fair chance hiring law for private employers. Federal EEOC guidelines apply.
Minimum Wage
$13.00/hr (Florida state minimum — increasing toward $15 by 2026)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Tallahassee
- 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 Tallahassee
- CareerSource Capital Region
- Goodwill Industries of the Big Bend
- Tallahassee Urban League
- Big Bend Homeless Coalition
- Kearney Center (reentry services)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Tallahassee?
- Tallahassee offers opportunities in food service, retail (Walmart, Target, Publix, Dollar General), construction, healthcare support, and hospitality. The university environment creates demand for service-sector workers.
- Does Tallahassee have ban-the-box laws?
- No. Florida does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers, and Tallahassee does not have a local ordinance. Government jobs have their own hiring processes.
- What staffing agencies in Tallahassee hire felons?
- Staffing agencies in Tallahassee include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Randstad. General labor and service-sector placements are most common.
- What is the minimum wage in Tallahassee?
- Florida's state minimum wage is $13.00 per hour, increasing toward $15.00. Most entry-level jobs in Tallahassee pay at or slightly above the state minimum.
Related Resources
Company hiring guides
More resources
- ExpungementExpungement in Florida→
- Background ChecksHow far back do background checks go? →
- EducationCDL training programs →
- EducationTrade schools for felons →