Does Walmart Hire Felons?

Walmart is one of the largest private employers in the United States, with more than 1.5 million employees across its stores, warehouses, and corporate offices. For individuals with a criminal record, one of the most frequently asked questions is:
👉 “Does Walmart hire felons?”

The answer is yes — in many cases, Walmart does hire people with felony convictions. However, hiring decisions depend on several factors, including:

The type and severity of the conviction
How long ago the offense occurred
Whether the offense is related to the job duties
The state laws governing background checks and employment

This means that while a felony doesn’t automatically disqualify you from working at Walmart, you’ll go through a review process that considers your full background, rehabilitation, and work history.

Understanding Walmart’s Policy on Hiring Felons

Walmart’s hiring process follows federal guidelines set by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). According to these rules, employers cannot automatically reject someone because of a criminal record — they must consider context and relevance.

Here’s how Walmart approaches it:

Case-by-case evaluation: Each application is reviewed individually. Walmart considers what happened, how long ago the offense occurred, and whether it impacts the safety or trust requirements of the role.
“Ban the Box” compliance: In many states, Walmart does not ask about criminal history on the initial job application. This gives applicants with records a fair chance to be evaluated on their skills first. Background checks are only conducted after a conditional job offer is made.
Focus on rehabilitation: Walmart values honesty and improvement. If you can show evidence of rehabilitation — such as a consistent work record, educational programs, or community involvement — your chances of being hired increase significantly.

Rules and Regulations Felons Should Know Before Applying

If you have a criminal record and want to apply at Walmart (or any large U.S. employer), it’s important to understand the legal framework that affects your rights and eligibility:

1. Fair Chance Hiring Laws (“Ban the Box”)

These laws, now adopted in over 35 states and hundreds of cities, prohibit employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. They require companies like Walmart to evaluate your qualifications before considering your record.
✅ States that have “Ban the Box” laws include:
California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

2. EEOC Guidance on Criminal Backgrounds

The EEOC requires employers to evaluate:

The nature of the offense (e.g., theft vs. non-violent crimes)
The time since conviction or completion of sentence
The relevance of the crime to the job’s duties
For example, a prior theft conviction may affect a cash-handling role but not necessarily a warehouse or maintenance job.

3. State Background Check Limits

Some states limit how far back employers can look into your criminal record — typically seven years.

California, New York, and Texas follow the seven-year rule.
Other states, like Florida or Georgia, have no time limit.

4. Sealed or Expunged Records

If your record has been sealed or expunged, employers like Walmart cannot legally access or consider it during background checks. If you qualify, it’s worth pursuing record expungement before applying.

5. Honesty Is Key

Even in states that delay background checks, honesty matters. If Walmart asks about prior convictions after a conditional job offer, always disclose truthfully. Falsifying information can result in immediate disqualification or termination later.

What Walmart Jobs May Be Open to Felons?

While some roles at Walmart have restrictions (for example, positions that handle controlled substances, sensitive personal data, or large amounts of cash), many entry-level and operational positions are frequently available to applicants with felony convictions. Hiring decisions are made case-by-case and depend on the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, state law, and the responsibilities of the job.

Below is a detailed table showing common Walmart positions, typical duties, how “felon-friendly” they usually are, average pay ranges (approximate and location dependent), and notes on restrictions you should be aware of.

Position	Typical Duties	Felon-Friendly?	Why / Typical Restrictions	Average Pay (approx.)
Cashier / Sales Associate	Customer service, operate register, stock shelves, bagging	✅ Often (case-by-case)	Thefts, fraud convictions or recent theft-related offenses may be an issue for cash-handling roles.	$13–$17 / hr
Stocker / Overnight Associate	Unload trucks, organize inventory, shelf stocking	✅ Usually accepted	Physical work; generally fewer background restrictions unless violent or theft-related convictions.	$14–$18 / hr
Janitorial / Maintenance	Cleaning, custodial duties, basic repair and upkeep	✅ Typically open	Positions rarely require sensitive clearances; violent offenses may still be reviewed.	$13–$16 / hr
Warehouse / Distribution Center Associate	Order picking, packing, loading, operating non-powered equipment	✅ Frequently hired	Large DCs hire at scale; theft or violent crimes can be disqualifying depending on timing and role.	$16–$21 / hr
Grocery Produce / Backroom Clerk	Stocking perishable goods, rotate inventory, basic food handling	✅ Often accepted	Food-safety-sensitive only in extreme cases; theft convictions examined if recurring.	$13–$17 / hr
Pharmacy Technician / Pharmacy Support	Assist pharmacy, handle prescriptions, controlled substances	🚫 Often restricted	Drug convictions or theft usually disqualify due to legal/regulatory limits on access to controlled substances.	$18–$28 / hr
Financial Services / Money Services	Handle money, cash advances, financial transactions	⚠️ Restricted	Theft, fraud, or embezzlement convictions commonly disqualify applicants for cash-handling roles.	$15–$23 / hr
Customer Service Desk / Loss Prevention Support	Returns, customer complaints, assist security teams	⚠️ Case-by-case	Loss prevention roles strongly screen for theft/conviction history; customer-facing trust matters.	$14–$20 / hr
Department Manager / Supervisor	Supervise staff, scheduling, opening/closing duties	⚠️ May be limited	Managerial positions require trust and responsibility; long record-free periods often preferred.	$20–$27 / hr
Truck Driver / CDL roles (Walmart Transportation)	Drive company trucks, deliver freight	🚫 Often restricted	Serious driving offenses (DUI, DWI) or recent violent felonies can disqualify for safety reasons.	$50,000–$80,000 / yr (varies)
Entry-level Seasonal Worker	Holiday staffing, cashiering, stocking, customer support	✅ Often accepted	Seasonal roles typically have flexible hiring and can be more forgiving depending on timing.	$12–$18 / hr

Walmart Background Check Process

After you receive a conditional job offer, Walmart performs a background check to confirm your eligibility for employment. This process is conducted through a third-party provider and follows federal, state, and local laws — including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and any applicable Ban the Box or Fair Chance Hiring regulations.

The goal of the background check isn’t to automatically reject applicants with criminal records, but to ensure that the role is a good fit given Walmart’s policies, safety requirements, and legal obligations.

What Walmart’s Background Check Includes

While the exact scope can vary by state and position, Walmart’s background screening typically reviews the following:

Criminal history: Convictions are usually checked going back 7–10 years, depending on state law. Certain states limit how far back employers can look (for example, California and New York typically restrict to seven years).
Employment verification: Past jobs may be verified to confirm dates and titles, ensuring accuracy on your application.
Education verification: Degrees, certifications, or licenses may be confirmed, especially for management or technical roles.
Driving record: If you’re applying for a driving or delivery role, your motor vehicle record will be reviewed for safety compliance.
Drug screening: For safety-sensitive or logistics positions, a pre-employment drug test may also be required.

Background Check Timeline

Most Walmart background checks take 3–7 business days to complete. However, it can take longer if there are verification delays, common names, or records spread across multiple states. If the background check identifies a conviction, Walmart reviews it individually — considering:

The type and severity of the offense
Time elapsed since the conviction or release
Whether the offense is related to job duties
Your rehabilitation efforts and employment history

Pro Tip: Be completely honest if asked about your criminal history later in the hiring process. Walmart values transparency and may rescind offers if it discovers omitted or false information.

States with Friendlier Laws for Felon Applicants

Many states have adopted Ban the Box or Fair Chance Hiring laws that give people with criminal records a fairer opportunity during hiring. These laws generally delay criminal background checks until after an initial interview or conditional offer — ensuring that applicants are evaluated first on their skills, not their past.

Here are some states where applicants with records may have a better hiring experience at Walmart:

California: Background checks are limited to the past 7 years. Employers must conduct an individualized assessment before denying a job based on a conviction.
Colorado: Employers cannot ask about criminal history on the initial application.
Illinois: Requires a case-by-case evaluation and prohibits discrimination based on arrest records.
New York: Employers must consider rehabilitation and time since the offense under Article 23-A.
Texas: Allows employers flexibility but encourages fair-chance practices through state initiatives.
Washington: Restricts inquiries about criminal history until after an offer and promotes fair assessments.
Pennsylvania: Employers can only consider convictions that relate directly to the position.

Note: Even in states without specific Ban the Box laws, Walmart voluntarily applies fair-chance hiring practices in many locations.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Hired at Walmart?

While your record may create some hurdles, Walmart has a long history of giving second chances. The key is showing honesty, responsibility, and readiness to contribute. Here’s how to stand out:

Be upfront (when asked): Don’t volunteer unnecessary details early, but when the background check stage arrives, disclose honestly and focus on your progress since then.
Highlight rehabilitation: If you’ve completed a reentry program, skills course, or counseling, mention it. Demonstrating accountability helps employers see growth.
Apply for entry-level or warehouse roles first: Positions like stocker, overnight associate, or janitorial work have the highest acceptance rates for applicants with records.
Gather strong references: A letter from a former employer, parole officer, or community leader can show reliability and character.
Prepare for common interview questions: Be ready to discuss your past briefly and pivot to your future goals. Example: “I’ve learned from my past and built steady work habits — I’m looking for a chance to prove my dependability.”
Show consistency: Highlight attendance, teamwork, and any volunteer work — Walmart values reliability more than perfection.

Conclusion

Does Walmart hire felons? Yes — Walmart does hire applicants with felony convictions for many roles, especially in retail, warehouse, and maintenance departments. While serious or recent offenses may limit certain positions (like pharmacy or financial services), Walmart evaluates each applicant individually and follows fair-chance hiring laws in most states.

By being transparent, demonstrating rehabilitation, and applying for suitable roles, you can greatly improve your chances of landing a job at one of America’s largest employers.

How WiseWorq Can Help

Before applying to Walmart or any other large employer, it’s important to research how they treat workers and applicants with past records. WiseWorq provides verified employee reviews and company insights from over 26,000 U.S.-based organizations — including Walmart — to help you make confident, informed choices.

Whether you’re looking for a company that values second chances, fair pay, or long-term stability, WiseWorq can help you find it.

👉 Explore company reviews today at https://www.wiseworq.com