Best Jobs for Felons in 2025: High-Paying & Realistic Career Options

It’s wild how quick people are to judge. One mistake—sometimes just bad luck at the wrong moment—and suddenly, doors slam shut everywhere you turn. If you’ve got a record, you know what I’m talking about. Doesn’t matter if your conviction was years back or if you’ve totally changed since then; getting a job after felony charges is one of the hardest things out there. The thing no one tells you? That’s not the end of your story. Not even close.

Let’s get straight to it: jobs for felons are out there. Some pay better than you’d expect. Some will make you feel genuinely appreciated. You just have to know where to look, what to aim for, and how to play it smart.

Which Industries Hire Felons—and Why?

I’ve talked to employers, chatted up hiring managers, and scouted around Sydney’s job market, but this isn’t just a local issue—it’s global. The big surprise? Certain industries don’t just allow workers with a record; some are actively seeking them out. High employee turnover, skill shortages, and a growing push for fair hiring have forced companies to open their minds. And here’s the blunt truth: not all felonies are seen equally. Nonviolent offenses, drug charges, or mistakes in your late teens tend to have a better shot at forgiveness at work.

Here’s a breakdown of industries hiring felons in 2025, with some genuinely concrete possibilities:

• Trade Jobs - Electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and welders are in crazy demand. Many unions and apprenticeship programs have stopped asking about criminal backgrounds entirely.
• Construction - Big projects are popping up everywhere, from Sydney’s new transit lines to urban high-rises. These companies need people willing to work hard—and they just can’t afford to close the door on anyone who can keep up.
• Manufacturing & Warehousing - Factories of all kinds need workers. Some entry-level roles are unionized, with decent hourly rates and overtime. A record is rarely a dealbreaker if you show up and do your job.
• Hospitality - Hotels, restaurants, and event companies in Australia have dropped their stigma a bit, especially since COVID-19. Chefs, cleaning staff, kitchen hands—these roles are a good in.
• Delivery & Logistics - Freight moves the world. Truck drivers, warehouse pickers, and couriers are always needed, and often you’ll only have to pass a drug test, not a background check.
• Tech & IT (Entry Level) - Shocked? You shouldn’t be. Tech’s all about skills, not your past. There are stories of folks with criminal records landing junior roles after online bootcamps, especially in web design, coding, or support desks.
• Entrepreneurship - If no one gives you a chance, sometimes you create your own. Lots of ex-offenders have found success running a small business—cleaning, landscaping, car detailing, handyman gigs—especially in neighborhoods where everyone knows what it’s like to get knocked down.

In 2024, the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that about 27% of all employers in manual trades and construction were willing to take on applicants with prior convictions—nearly doubling from a decade ago. In the US, research from the Prison Policy Initiative says about 60% of previously incarcerated folks remain unemployed one year after leaving prison, but those who land trade or logistics jobs are twice as likely to stick with them over time.

So, when someone asks, "what's the best job for felons?" they're not asking about some perfect unicorn gig. They’re talking about a real shot: something that pays bills, gives you skills, and won’t slam the door because of mistakes from your past.

From Job Search to Signing Day: A Realistic Roadmap

Even with the right industries picked out, the search itself can feel like you’re running a marathon with a bag of bricks on your back. Getting through the application process, nailing the interview, and being open about your record—that’s tough for anyone. But let’s break down a step-by-step approach that actually works for folks starting over:

• Build Your Skills - Before you even apply, spend a few weeks on real training. Free online courses on platforms like Coursera, TAFE NSW, and YouTube can help with trade skills, Microsoft Excel, cooking, or safe machinery use. Vocational training programs in Australia have even started targeting people with a record because they know jobs are waiting.
• Use Second-Chance Employers - There are companies who openly seek out workers with a criminal background. Search for "second chance employers Australia" or "ban the box jobs." Even big names like Woolworths and Lendlease have reformed their hiring filters.
• Get Letters of Recommendation - This isn’t just a nice add-on. A letter from a previous employer, probation officer, or anyone who’ll vouch for your change goes a long way. Employers care way more about who you are *now*.
• Network Like Hell - Most good jobs never hit the job boards. Use community organizations, religious groups, or skill-building meetups. Many community centers actually post jobs specifically open to people with records.
• Prepare Your Explanation - Here’s a tip that makes a difference: Don’t go into interviews or applications trying to dodge your record. Good employers hate surprises. Instead, prep a brief, honest explanation about your offense, what you’ve done since, and what you’re aiming for now. Practice it in the mirror.
• Start Gig, Move to Full-Time - Sometimes the best way in is through part-time, temp, or gig roles. You prove yourself—and when someone sees your work ethic, permanent offers aren’t far away.
• Tap Into Legal Help - Some states and territories in Australia allow record-sealing or expungement after a certain time. If eligible, a clean record bumps up your chances—worth checking with a legal aid group.

The right roadmap turns a job hunt from a nightmare into something manageable. It’s about showing that you’re reliable and learning how to talk about your past honestly but without shame.

Quick fact: The Sidney Myer Fund and other philanthropic groups have poured millions into second-chance hiring schemes since 2022. Some employers get tax breaks in certain states for hiring ex-felons. And more than 40% of hiring managers in a 2024 SEEK employer survey said they’d had a positive experience with a previously incarcerated employee.

High-Paying Jobs for Felons: From Underdog to Top Performer

Now, maybe entry-level roles are a solid start, but what about folks who want more—like careers that pay well, let you build savings, and maybe even snag that first home mortgage? Here’s the thing: not only is it possible, plenty of ex-felons have done it before you, and they’re doing it right now.

Get this: Australia’s Skills Priority List for 2025 says over 30,000 new jobs will open in trades like plumbing, electrical, and heavy machinery operation over the next three years. In these roles, your track record at work matters way more than your police check. Let me share a few high-paying options for ex-offenders, all based on real pathways:

• Welding & Metal Fabrication - Loads of ex-felons choose this path. Once trained, it’s hands-on, pays $60k+, and employers care about skill, not your rap sheet.
• Construction Site Supervisor - It sounds like a stretch, but many start as laborers and work up. By year five, site supervisors with a record can earn up to $90k a year.
• Commercial Truck Driver - If you love the open road, heavy vehicle licensing can open up $80k a year jobs. Ignore the myth—many trucking firms overlook non-violent records.
• IT Support Specialist - With a few online courses, some tech support roles start at $55k and go up quickly. Sydney alone posted over 3,000 openings last year.
• Entrepreneur/Small Business Owner - Here’s where the sky’s the limit. Welding shops, cleaning businesses, barbering, landscaping, and car washes are classic moves. Some of the country’s most successful small businesses were started by ex-offenders. No one checks your background if you’re the boss.
• Food Truck/Cafe Operator - The barrier to entry is lower than you think. Plenty of local councils in Australia actually run food truck incubators aiming to help people restart after prison.
• Industrial Machine Operator - With a certification, this can net you $65k plus overtime. Employers like Boral and Bluescope often hire from non-traditional backgrounds due to the labor gap.
• Mobile App Developer - Coding bootcamps are exploding. Dev Academy in Sydney graduates dozens of students every term—record or no record. Serious money to be made here.

Statistically, people with records who stay employed for just two years are almost 70% less likely to ever get in trouble with the law again. That first job really does change your odds. If you hit the ground running and build your reliability and skills, you’re not boxed in by your past.

I’ve sat down with guys who walked out of Silverwater with nothing but a dog-eared list of contacts. A few years later? Some are running legit pipefitting crews, some have side hustles turning into six-figure businesses, and at least one’s running a code bootcamp himself—helping others who’ve walked the same path.