Felony Friendly Jobs in Tulsa, OK
Tulsa has a diversified economy rooted in oil and gas, aerospace (American Airlines maintenance base, Spirit AeroSystems), healthcare, and manufacturing. The city is more affordable than Oklahoma City and has active reentry organizations. While there are no ban-the-box protections, the oil and gas industry and construction sectors are significant employers of people with records. Express Employment Professionals, one of the largest staffing firms in the country, is headquartered in Oklahoma City and has a strong Tulsa presence.
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Top Employers in Tulsa That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Tulsa, OK 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.
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.
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 Tulsa for People With Records
- ✓Oil & gas
- ✓Aerospace
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Manufacturing
- ✓Logistics
Staffing Agencies in Tulsa That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Tulsa metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Express Employment Professionals
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Aerotek
Oklahoma Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Oklahoma does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers. Tulsa does not have a local ban-the-box ordinance.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Oklahoma does not have a statewide fair chance hiring law for private employers. Federal EEOC guidelines apply.
Minimum Wage
$7.25/hr (federal minimum — Oklahoma minimum matches federal)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Tulsa
- 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 Tulsa
- Oklahoma Employment Security Commission — Tulsa
- Goodwill Industries of Tulsa
- Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa
- 12&12 Inc.
- Tulsa Reentry One-Stop
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Tulsa?
- Tulsa offers opportunities in oil and gas services, manufacturing, warehouse and logistics (Amazon, UPS, FedEx), construction, food service, and retail (Walmart, Target, Dollar General). The industrial base provides many entry-level positions.
- Does Tulsa have ban-the-box laws?
- No. Oklahoma does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers, and Tulsa does not have a local ordinance. Federal EEOC guidelines still apply.
- What staffing agencies in Tulsa hire felons?
- Staffing agencies in Tulsa include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Aerotek. Industrial and warehouse placements are the most common.
- What is the minimum wage in Tulsa?
- The minimum wage in Tulsa is $7.25 per hour (federal minimum). Oil field, industrial, and manufacturing jobs typically start at $14-$22 per hour.
Related Resources
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