Skip to Navigation
Finding work with a record may be more challenging than expected, but there are plenty of jobs for felons in Seattle, Washington! Seattle has over 80,000 firms locally and a population of 750,000. With thriving industries from seaport cargo to tech, Seattle has a career path for everyone. Keep reading to learn about where to apply for the best local employment opportunities for former offenders.
If you are looking for help with restarting your career, you’ve come to the right place. We have collected the most valuable information for former felons in this article. We have directly contacted over 1,000 companies to hear about their hiring practices for former offenders. We then looked into local businesses to find the best places for you to apply. Our knowledge even goes a step further — we employ individuals with records so we can give tailored advice that works.
Jobs that hire felons in Seattle
Based on our research and lived experience, we’ve identified key job characteristics individuals with a record should be looking for. Low experience and skill requirements, seasonal positions, high-turnover roles, and companies with a reputation for being open in their hiring all make it easier for you to find jobs that hire felons in Seattle. Think about what you want to do and where you want to work and use our search tool to search job openings by industry, job title, company and other filters.
Top companies that hire felons in Seattle
If you’re looking for the top companies that hire felons in Seattle, we’ve collected them right here for you. Taking into account the size of the company, quick-hire roles, and the company’s hiring policy, we made this go-to list for the top ten companies to apply to today.
If you are looking to restart your career or jump into a new role, you may want to consider entry-level work. Entry-level positions are the quickest roles to fill in a company because they require little skill and are relatively easy to get. An entry-level position could also be your opportunity to show how reliable and responsible you are in a job — this is very important to companies!
Click on one of the company links below to learn more about them, or keep reading to get more tips on landing a job with a criminal record!
After finding a few jobs that you’d like to apply to, you’ll need to make a high-quality resume. If you want help with yours, take a look at our resume guide specifically built to help people with criminal records showcase their skills.
Resume ready? Check out the companies below to see if any of the work is a good fit for you.
Sellen Construction
Founded in 1944, Sellen Construction provides excellent construction services all over Seattle. In fact, they are the largest locally-owned firm in the PNW, making them likewise one of the largest employers in their sector. If you have a construction background, or have some of the more technical skills they look for in planners, you might find the perfect home here.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Systems Administrator
- General Labor
- Sales
- Framer
Starbucks
Seattle is home to the headquarters of Starbucks, the company that changed coffee shops around the world. Starbucks is a worldwide brand, and in Seattle it’s a major employer. From being a barista at one of their shops to working at their main manufacturing facility, there’s a position for everyone!
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Barista
- Assembler
- Manufacturing Technician
- Production Associate
Nordstrom
If you’re looking for a customer-facing or fashion-forward position, Nordstrom might be the place for you. This large high-end retail company has locations all over the country. Even better, Nordstrom is based in Seattle which creates many job opportunities for Seattle locals.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Customer Service Representative
- Retail Associate
- Dishwasher
- Expeditor
- Retail Stock/Fulfillment
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is another worldwide company headquartered in Seattle. Looking for excitement and adventure at work? The airline industry is always changing. At an airline, you could start as a cleaner or in customer service and work your way up the ladder.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Customer Service
- Cargo Ramp Agent
- Baggage Handler
- Operations Agent
Expeditors
Expeditors is a worldwide logistics and freight company headquartered in Seattle. Whether by air, ocean or land, Expeditors is transporting goods around the world and employing workers all along the way! Working for a company like this, you could find positions open at their headquarters, at one of their warehouses or in transporting.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Customer Wervice Representative
- Warehouse Associate
- Delivery Associate
- Transportation Warehouse Agent
Microsoft
In the tech industry, Microsoft is one of the most well known companies! They produce computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. Although Microsoft hires a lot of higher technical positions, they also offer entry-level jobs in their warehouse and retail stores. If you have an interest in learning more about the tech industry, this is the place for you.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Logistics Technician
- Data Centre Technician
- Gaming Expert
- Product Advisor
Weyerhaeuser
Weyerhaeuser Company is a timberland company that owns and manages more than 16 million acres of timberland in the US and Canada. If you love the outdoors or have dreamed of working like a lumberjack this is the position for you! Weyerhaeuser is headquartered in Seattle, so along with the production and driving opportunities, they also have office opportunities like sales and customer service.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Production Associate
- Equipment Operator
- Log Truck Driver
- Sales Representative
Trident Seafoods
As the largest seafood company in the U.S, Trident Seafoods does it all. They manage a network of fishing ships, processing plants, warehouses, and distribution. If you’ve ever been curious about where your favorite seafood comes from or dreamt of working on a fishing vessel, this is your opportunity! You could work in their warehouses, production plants or distribution, or if you’re looking for a little more adventure, you could work on one of their fishing vessels.
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Laborer
- Deckhand
- Seafood Processor
- Warehouse Worker
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is located at the famous Public Market in Seattle. Their Fish Market is a well-known tourist stop where they perform crowd-pleasing skits and throw fish to each other behind the counter to be wrapped for customers. They have seafood vendors, produce stalls and other shops. If you love being in a high-energy, customer-focused role, this environment may speak to you!
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Line Cook/Prep Cook
- Baker
- Janitor
- Seasonal Parking Attendant
Machinists Inc
A Seattle staple since 1941, Machinists Inc is a great choice for you if you’re concerned your background check will hold you back in your field. While you may not be able to work on aerospace-related projects off the bat, you can establish yourself as a dependable worker while finding the best way to approach your career goals. There are non-technical jobs here, as well, so don’t be shy about applying!
Some of the most promising entry-level jobs for former felons:
- Machinist
- Administration
- Sales
- Maintenance Tech
Trucking jobs for felons in Seattle
A great place for those with a record to look for work is the trucking industry, a proven career path for former offenders. As well as offering flexible careers, trucking is a major industry that is well-established and stable throughout the country. Trucking companies are often willing to train you on the job if you have no experience. Some of the most appreciated benefits of a career in trucking include travel, independence and self-reliance.
Interested in trucking jobs for felons in Seattle? Here are some of the top companies in the area:
- Kenworth Truck
- Lynden Incorporated
- Convoy
- Pierce Transit
- CAI Logistics
Warehouse jobs for felons in Seattle
Warehouses are large operations and require many different skill sets. Beginning your career here will give you opportunities down the line for advancement or help you gain experience necessary for your next career move. You can expect to see roles like lift operators, maintenance, and even administrative positions.
Here are some top warehouse jobs for felons in Seattle:
Temp agency jobs for felons in Seattle
There are numerous employment agency jobs for felons in Seattle at companies that are used to hiring people in complicated situations. A temporary position can be a great place to start if you’re looking to gain experience or would like to start with something short-term. A short-term position can give you the experience often required to land a more permanent position.
Here are some top temp agency jobs for felons in Seattle:
- Robert Half
- Parker Staffing Services
- Molly Brown Temps
- Seattle Corporate Search
- Fuel Talent
Second chance and job training programs for felons in Seattle
Seattle was the 11th state to join the Ban the Box program. This legislation means that both private and public employers are required to delay background checks and questions about conviction records of job applicants until after they have had a fair chance to present their qualifications for the job.
Ban the Box laws have helped former offenders in finding employment, but there are other resources to help you, too. Second chance and job training programs for felons in Seattle help those with a criminal record find housing, financial aid, education pathways, and more.
Here are some resources for former felons in Oakland:
- ACLU-WA’s Second Chances Project
- Mission: To reduce mass incarceration by working to reduce the unfair barriers that people with a criminal history face in trying to reintegrate into society. Since the Second Chances Project was established, it has successfully sued to ensure fairness in screening tenants, worked to advance legislation to improve job opportunities for people with a criminal history and ensure a fair system around court-imposed debts known as “legal financial obligations.”
- Services offered: Education, Employment, Housing, Legal
- Evergreen Treatment Services (ETS)
- Mission: Transforming the lives of individuals and their communities through innovative and effective addiction and social services.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Legal, Mental Health
- Sound Mentally Ill Offender Services
- Mission: To strengthen our community and improve the lives of our clients by delivering excellent health and human services tailored to meet their needs.
- Services offered: Addiction and Recovery, Housing, Medical, Mental Health
- Columbia Legal Services
- Mission: Columbia Legal Services advocates for laws that advance social, economic, and racial equity for people living in poverty.
- Services offered: Employment, Housing
- Freedom Project
- Mission: Freedom Project works to dismantle the institution of mass incarceration and heal its traumatic effects on our community — Black, Indigenous and People of Color who are impacted by the systems of mass incarceration. As a community-centered and culturally-responsive organization, we come from, are in, and are directed by the community we serve. We offer tangible resources where they are needed most — and make space for people to show up as they are and be seen for their humanity.
- Services offered: Education, Employment, Medical
