Quick Answer

Yes, Stericycle hires people with felony convictions case-by-case. As the largest medical waste management company in North America, Stericycle offers accessible employment:

• Medical Waste Driver: $18-26/hour (collecting medical waste, CDL required)

• Waste Treatment Technician: $17-24/hour (processing medical waste, safety procedures)

• Warehouse Associate: $16-22/hour (sorting, organizing waste containers)

• Route Helper: $15-20/hour (assisting drivers, physical labor)

• Career Path: Route Helper → Driver ($45k-$55k) → Route Supervisor ($55k-$70k)

  
  

Table of Contents

1. Quick Answer

2. About Stericycle

3. Does Stericycle Hire People with Felonies?

4. Stericycle Jobs for People with Felonies (2025)

5. Stericycle Background Check: What to Expect

6. How to Get Hired at Stericycle with a Felony (Step-by-Step)

7. Frequently Asked Questions

8. Similar Medical Waste & Waste Management Companies

9. Final Thoughts

About Stericycle

Stericycle is North America's largest medical waste management and compliance services company with approximately 300 service centers and processing facilities across the United States and Canada, employing over 15,000 workers. Stericycle collects, transports, treats, and disposes of regulated medical waste, pharmaceutical waste, and hazardous materials from healthcare facilities, providing compliance and document destruction services. As a medical waste company, Stericycle offers accessible employment for people with criminal records due to industry-wide labor shortage in waste management, behind-the-scenes waste handling work, CDL driver shortage creating hiring urgency, physical demanding work reducing competition, case-by-case hiring evaluation, promotion from within culture, essential service (recession-proof industry), and union representation at some facilities in 2025.

Why Stericycle Is Accessible for Felons:

1. Waste management labor shortage - Constant hiring needs nationwide

2. Behind-the-scenes waste handling - Medical waste collection and processing, not customer-facing

3. CDL driver shortage - Severe shortage of commercial drivers increases accessibility

4. Physical demanding work - Waste handling reduces applicant competition

5. Case-by-case evaluation - Individual assessment, not automatic rejection

6. 300+ facilities nationwide - Apply to multiple locations for better odds

7. Essential service industry - Recession-proof, stable long-term employment

8. Promotion from within - Route helpers advance to drivers, drivers to supervisors

Does Stericycle Hire People with Felonies?

Stericycle Hiring Approach (2025): Stericycle evaluates applicants with criminal records case-by-case following waste management industry standards that prioritize work ethic, physical capability, reliability, and clean driving records (for driver positions) over criminal backgrounds in most cases. Stericycle faces constant labor shortage in waste management industry making hiring more accessible. Local facility managers have discretion in hiring decisions, particularly for warehouse and route helper positions. Medical waste drivers must maintain clean driving record (no major violations within 3-5 years) which is more important than non-traffic criminal history. Many people with various felonies work successfully at Stericycle across driving, warehouse, and waste treatment positions in 2025.

What Stericycle Considers:

• Driving record (MOST CRITICAL for driver positions—DUI within 3-5 years disqualifies)

• Physical capability for waste handling (lifting 50-75 lbs repeatedly)

• Time since conviction (2-5+ years better but 6 months-1 year possible in urgent hiring)

• Nature of conviction (violence scrutinized, non-violent widely accepted)

• Position type (warehouse more accessible than driver, driver more accessible than office)

• Willingness to work early morning shifts (routes start 4am-6am typically)

• Reliability and attendance (critical for daily routes and schedules)

Most Accessible Stericycle Positions: Route Helper (no CDL, assisting drivers), Warehouse Associate (sorting/organizing waste), Waste Treatment Technician (processing facility), Material Handler, Sanitation Worker

What Convictions Are Widely Accepted: Non-violent felonies, drug convictions (if clean now and can pass drug test), property crimes, theft convictions (context-dependent but often acceptable), probation violations, older assault convictions (case-by-case)

What Faces Scrutiny: DUI/DWI within 3-5 years (disqualifies driver positions), violence in workplace, sexual offenses (shared facilities and customer sites), healthcare fraud (medical waste industry), active warrants

Stericycle Application Strategy: Apply for Route Helper first (no CDL required, easiest entry). Get your CDL while working as helper. Clean driving record more important than criminal record for drivers. Apply to multiple Stericycle locations (3-5 facilities). Emphasize physical capability and reliability. Be honest about background when asked. Waste management generally accessible industry Stericycle follows industry norms.

Stericycle Jobs for People with Felonies (2025)

1. Medical Waste Driver / Route Driver

   Pay: $18-26/hour ($37,000-$54,000/year)

   Driving box truck or small commercial vehicle on assigned routes collecting regulated medical waste from healthcare facilities, hospitals, clinics, and medical offices, ensuring proper waste handling and safety protocols, loading and securing waste containers, maintaining daily route schedules, completing route documentation and manifests, providing professional customer service, following DOT and OSHA regulations.

   
   

   Requirements: Class B or C CDL (depending on vehicle size), clean driving record (no DUI within 3-5 years, no major violations), physical ability to lift 50-75 lbs repeatedly, DOT medical card.

   
   

   Why Accessible: Severe CDL driver shortage creates hiring urgency, clean driving record matters MORE than criminal record, non-traffic felonies widely acceptable, behind-the-scenes waste collection, case-by-case evaluation, many Stericycle drivers have criminal records (non-traffic related), advance to route supervisor.

   
   

2. Route Helper / Driver Assistant

   Pay: $15-20/hour ($31,000-$42,000/year)

   Riding with medical waste driver assisting with route collections, physically loading and unloading waste containers from customer sites, securing waste in vehicle, assisting with customer service, helping complete route paperwork, learning routes and waste handling procedures, physical demanding labor throughout shift.

   
   

   Requirements: No CDL required (major advantage), valid driver's license, physical capability for heavy lifting and repetitive work, ability to work early morning shifts (4am-6am starts common).

   
   

   Why Most Accessible: No CDL requirement, entry-level position with most hiring needs, physical labor focus, behind-the-scenes work, gateway to driver position (Stericycle often sponsors CDL training for reliable helpers), prove yourself over 6-12 months and advance to driver, easiest Stericycle entry point for people with records.

   
   

3. Waste Treatment Technician / Autoclave Operator

   Pay: $17-24/hour ($35,000-$50,000/year)

   Working at Stericycle treatment facility processing medical waste, operating autoclaves and other treatment equipment sterilizing waste, sorting and preparing waste for treatment, maintaining treatment equipment and facility, following strict safety and OSHA protocols, documenting waste processing, ensuring proper disposal of treated waste.

   
   

   Requirements: Ability to follow safety procedures, comfortable working around medical waste, physical capability for lifting and moving waste, training provided on equipment and procedures.

   
   

   Why Accessible: Behind-the-scenes processing facility work, no customer interaction, technical equipment operation learned on job, critical waste treatment role, case-by-case evaluation, physical demanding work, advance to senior technician or facility supervisor.

   
   

4. Warehouse Associate / Material Handler

   Pay: $16-22/hour ($33,000-$46,000/year)

   Working at Stericycle warehouse facility sorting and organizing medical waste containers, receiving and processing returned containers from routes, cleaning and preparing containers for reuse, maintaining warehouse organization, operating forklifts and warehouse equipment, supporting route operations with container inventory, following safety protocols.

   
   

   Requirements: Physical capability for lifting and repetitive work, forklift certification helpful (may be provided), ability to work various shifts.

   
   

   Why Accessible: Behind-the-scenes warehouse operations, straightforward sorting and organizing, physical labor-focused, no customer interaction, forklift operation opportunity, case-by-case hiring, warehouse labor shortage creates accessibility.

   
   

5. Sanitation / Decontamination Worker

   Pay: $16-21/hour ($33,000-$44,000/year)

   Cleaning and decontaminating medical waste containers, equipment, and facility areas, operating pressure washers and cleaning equipment, following sanitation protocols and safety procedures, maintaining cleanliness of vehicles and containers, using chemical cleaners and disinfectants safely, supporting overall facility sanitation.

   
   

   Why Accessible: Cleaning and sanitation work, behind-the-scenes essential role, straightforward procedures with training, physical work, less competition for sanitation positions, case-by-case evaluation, advance to warehouse or treatment technician roles.

   
   

6. Container Repair Technician

   Pay: $17-23/hour ($35,000-$48,000/year)

   Repairing damaged medical waste containers and bins, performing maintenance on container equipment, welding and fabricating container repairs, inspecting containers for damage, maintaining container repair tools and equipment, ensuring containers safe for reuse.

   
   

   Requirements: Mechanical skills, welding experience helpful, ability to use hand and power tools.

   
   

   Why Accessible: Mechanical repair trade, behind-the-scenes maintenance work, technical skills developed on job, essential container maintenance, case-by-case evaluation, advance to maintenance supervisor.

   
   

7. Facility Maintenance Technician

   Pay: $18-26/hour ($37,000-$54,000/year)

   Maintaining Stericycle facility equipment and buildings, repairing treatment equipment and machinery, troubleshooting mechanical and electrical issues, preventive maintenance on waste processing equipment, maintaining HVAC and facility systems, ensuring safe and operational facility environment.

   
   

   Requirements: Maintenance experience, mechanical and electrical skills, ability to troubleshoot equipment.

   
   

   Why Accessible: Facility and equipment maintenance, technical skilled trade, behind-the-scenes support role, essential to facility operations, maintenance shortage creates opportunity, case-by-case evaluation.

   
   

8. Waste Compliance Specialist

   Pay: $19-27/hour ($40,000-$56,000/year)

   Supporting customer compliance with medical waste regulations, training healthcare facility staff on waste segregation and procedures, inspecting customer waste handling practices, documenting compliance, assisting with regulatory reporting, coordinating waste pickups and services.

   
   

   Requirements: Understanding of medical waste regulations (trained on job), customer service and training skills, reliable transportation.

   
   

   Why Accessible: Customer-facing but education-focused role, compliance training provided by Stericycle, technical regulatory knowledge matters more than background, case-by-case evaluation, advance to compliance manager or account manager.

   
   

9. Operations Coordinator / Dispatcher

   Pay: $17-24/hour ($35,000-$50,000/year)

   Coordinating daily route operations and driver schedules, dispatching drivers to customer sites, managing route changes and customer service issues, tracking route completion and pickups, supporting operations management, using route management software and systems.

   
   

   Requirements: Organizational and computer skills, communication ability, customer service experience helpful.

   
   

   Why Accessible: Operations support role, office-based coordination, customer service skills valued, promoted from within often (drivers or warehouse workers advance to operations), case-by-case evaluation.

   
   

10. Route Supervisor / Operations Supervisor

    Pay: $50,000-$70,000/year salary

    Supervising medical waste collection routes and drivers, managing daily operations and route schedules, ensuring regulatory compliance and safety standards, training and developing driver staff, handling customer issues and escalations, reporting to operations management, overseeing fleet and equipment.

    
    

    Requirements: Typically 3-5 years Stericycle experience (often promoted from driver position), leadership skills, knowledge of waste regulations and operations.

    
    

    Why Accessible: Stericycle promotes from within extensively, reliable drivers and warehouse workers advance to supervisor roles, criminal record doesn't prevent promotion with strong performance, many supervisors started as route helpers with records and proved dedication.

Stericycle Background Check: What to Expect

Background Check Process (2025): Stericycle conducts background checks after conditional job offer. Background checks typically review 7-year criminal history (state-dependent). Driver positions include Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check reviewing driving history for past 3-5 years (most critical for driver roles). Stericycle evaluates convictions case-by-case considering conviction nature, time elapsed, position requirements, and rehabilitation. Healthcare-related fraud or abuse faces most scrutiny in medical waste industry. Facility managers have discretion in final hiring decisions.

Timeline: Background check 3-7 business days. Some facilities hire pending background check clearance due to urgent hiring needs.

What May Disqualify: DUI/DWI within 3-5 years (driver positions), healthcare fraud or abuse (medical industry), recent violence (workplace safety), sexual offenses (customer sites, shared facilities), active warrants

Driving Record Requirements (Driver Positions):

• No DUI/DWI within 3-5 years (automatic disqualification)

• No reckless driving within 2-3 years

• No major CDL violations

• No multiple accidents or moving violations

• Clean driving record MORE important than criminal record for drivers

Drug Testing: Pre-employment drug testing required for all positions (DOT requirement for drivers, company policy for all) in 2025. Random drug testing during employment for drivers (DOT regulation). Zero-tolerance for positive results. Focus on sobriety before applying.

How to Get Hired at Stericycle with a Felony (Step-by-Step)

1. Start with Route Helper Position

   Route Helper easiest entry no CDL required, physical labor focus, assisting drivers. Apply for route helper first, prove reliability, then advance to driver or other roles. Entry-level gateway.

   
   

2. Ensure Clean Driving Record (For Driver Roles)

   If targeting driver position, clean driving record CRITICAL. No DUI within 3-5 years. Non-traffic criminal record secondary to driving record. If recent DUI, wait until outside lookback period before applying to driver roles.

   
   

3. Get Your CDL (Or Let Stericycle Train You)

   Stericycle often sponsors CDL training for reliable route helpers. Start as helper, prove yourself for 6-12 months, company may pay for CDL training and advance you to driver ($18-26/hour). Alternative: Get CDL independently before applying (increases starting pay and hiring odds).

   
   

4. Apply to Multiple Stericycle Facilities

   Apply to 3-5 Stericycle service centers in your area. Facility managers have hiring discretion one may decline while another hires. Increase odds with multiple applications.

   
   

5. Emphasize Physical Capability and Work Ethic

   "I'm physically capable of demanding work, reliable, and want stable waste management career" resonates. Medical waste physically demanding willingness to do hard work valued.

   
   

6. Show Availability for Early Morning Shifts

   "I'm available for early morning starts (4am-6am)" valuable. Waste routes start very early most people can't or won't work these hours. Early availability increases hiring significantly.

   
   

7. Highlight Any Relevant Experience

   CDL experience, waste management, delivery driving, warehouse work, manufacturing, construction all relevant. Physical labor and driving experience transfers.

   
   

8. Be Honest About Criminal Background

   If asked about convictions, be honest. Brief explanation: "I have [type] conviction from [year], completed requirements, focused on stable employment. I understand waste management has physical demands and I'm ready to work hard."

   
   

9. Pass Drug Test

   Pre-employment drug testing required. Must be clean to pass. If currently using, focus on sobriety before applying. Random testing for drivers ongoing.

   
   

10. Demonstrate Commitment to Safety

    Medical waste industry heavily regulated. "I understand safety is critical and I follow procedures carefully" shows you grasp industry requirements. Safety-conscious attitude valued.

    
    

11. Apply Through Stericycle Careers Website

    Apply at stericycle.com/careers. Search for "route helper," "driver," or "warehouse" positions near you. Online application required. Follow up with phone call to facility.

    
    

12. Consider Waste Management Industry Broadly

    If Stericycle doesn't hire, apply to competitors: Waste Management (residential/commercial waste), Republic Services, Waste Connections, local waste companies entire waste industry accessible for people with records.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Stericycle hire convicted felons?

   Yes, Stericycle hires people with felony convictions case-by-case in 2025. Medical waste industry labor shortage creates accessible hiring. Route Helper ($15-20/hr, no CDL required) most accessible entry, Medical Waste Driver ($18-26/hr with CDL), Warehouse Associate ($16-22/hr). Non-violent felonies widely accepted. Clean driving record critical for driver positions—DUI within 3-5 years disqualifies. Apply to multiple Stericycle facilities. Waste management generally felon-friendly industry.

   
   

2. Will Stericycle hire me with a felony?

   Likely depending on conviction type and position in 2025. Non-violent felonies widely accepted. Drug convictions accepted if clean now (must pass drug test). Start with Route Helper (no CDL, most accessible). Driver positions require clean driving record—DUI within 3-5 years disqualifies but non-traffic felonies acceptable. Violence and healthcare fraud face most scrutiny. Physical capability and willingness to work early mornings (4am-6am) increase odds significantly.

   
   

3. What is the most accessible Stericycle position?

   Route Helper at $15-20/hour riding with drivers assisting waste collection, no CDL required, physical demanding labor, early morning shifts (4am-6am starts), behind-the-scenes work, entry-level with most hiring needs. Prove reliability for 6-12 months, advance to driver ($18-26/hr) with company-sponsored CDL training. Easiest entry point for people with criminal records.

   
   

4. Can you work at Stericycle with a DUI?

   Not as driver within 3-5 years of DUI in 2025. DUI within lookback period (typically 3-5 years) automatic disqualification for medical waste driver positions (DOT and insurance requirements). After 5+ years, DUI may be acceptable case-by-case for driver roles. Non-driving positions (warehouse, treatment technician) more flexible on DUI. If recent DUI, start with warehouse or route helper (no CDL), wait for DUI to age out of lookback, then advance to driver.

   
   

5. How far back does Stericycle background check go?

   Typically 7 years for criminal history in most states in 2025 (some states limit background checks to 7 years by law). Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) for driver positions reviews 3-5 years driving history (DUI, major violations). Stericycle prioritizes recent behavior and rehabilitation. Convictions older than 7-10 years often not considered. Driving record more critical than criminal record for drivers.

   
   

6. Does Stericycle automatically reject felons?

   No, Stericycle does not automatically reject people with felonies—case-by-case evaluation in 2025. Waste management industry labor shortage creates accessible hiring. Facility managers have hiring discretion. Physical capability, reliability, and clean driving record (for drivers) matter more than background. DUI within 3-5 years automatically disqualifies driver positions specifically but not warehouse roles. Most felonies acceptable with time and rehabilitation.

   
   

7. Can you work at Stericycle while on probation or parole?

   Yes if hired. Many Stericycle employees manage probation/parole alongside waste management work in 2025. Route schedules structured (early morning shifts typical). Travel may be required within service area. Be upfront about PO appointment needs. Early morning shifts (4am-6am to 2pm-3pm) often allow afternoon appointments. Stable Stericycle employment and $35k-$55k income demonstrate rehabilitation.

   
   

8. Does Stericycle drug test?

   Yes, pre-employment drug testing required for all positions in 2025 (DOT requirement for drivers, company policy for all employees). Random drug testing during employment for driver positions (DOT regulation). Zero-tolerance for positive results—termination. Must pass drug test to get hired and maintain sobriety for continued employment. If cannot pass, focus on sobriety before applying.

   
   

9. Can felons advance at Stericycle?

   Yes, Stericycle promotes from within extensively in 2025. Many Route Supervisors ($50k-$70k) started as Route Helpers with criminal records and proved reliability over 3-5 years. Career path: Route Helper → Driver (company sponsors CDL) → Route Supervisor. Warehouse workers advance to warehouse supervisor or operations coordinator. Criminal record doesn't prevent advancement with strong performance, safety record, and reliability.

   
   

10. Is Stericycle felon-friendly?

    Yes, Stericycle is generally felon-friendly in 2025 with case-by-case evaluation and accessible entry-level positions. Medical waste industry labor shortage creates hiring urgency. Route Helper ($15-20/hr, no CDL) most accessible. Physical demanding work and early morning shifts reduce applicant competition. Apply to multiple Stericycle facilities (300+ nationwide). Clean driving record critical for drivers but non-traffic felonies acceptable. Waste management industry broadly accessible for people with records.

    
    

11. What benefits does Stericycle offer?

    Stericycle offers health insurance (medical, dental, vision) for full-time employees, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, overtime opportunities (waste collection often exceeds 40 hours/week), CDL training sponsorship for route helpers, company vehicle for driver positions (take-home in some locations), career advancement opportunities, stable employment in essential service industry, and union representation at some facilities.

    
    

12. How long is Stericycle hiring process?

    Stericycle hiring relatively fast due to labor shortage in 2025. Route Helper and warehouse positions: online application → phone screen (3-7 days) → in-person interview (1 week) → conditional offer → background check and drug test (3-7 days) → orientation and start (3-4 weeks total typical). Driver positions may require CDL verification and road test (add 1 week). Some facilities hire immediately pending background check for urgent needs.

Similar Medical Waste & Waste Management Companies

Medical Waste Management:

• Sharps Compliance (medical waste disposal, mail-back programs)

• Clean Harbors (hazardous waste, environmental services)

• Veolia North America (hazardous and medical waste)

• Daniels Health (reusable medical waste containers)

  
  

General Waste Management (Very Accessible):

• Waste Management (largest waste company, 44,000+ employees, accessible)

• Republic Services (second largest, 39,000 employees, accessible)

• Waste Connections (driver and warehouse positions accessible)

• Local and regional waste haulers (often most flexible on backgrounds)

  
  

Why Waste Management Industry Is Felon-Friendly:

• Severe labor shortage (drivers, helpers, warehouse workers)

• Physical demanding work reduces applicant competition

• Behind-the-scenes waste collection and processing

• Essential service (recession-proof employment)

• CDL shortage creates driver opportunities

• Early morning shifts (4am-6am) many people won't work

• Case-by-case evaluation standard across industry

Final Thoughts

Stericycle offers accessible employment for people with felonies through case-by-case evaluation in the medical waste management industry experiencing severe labor shortage. Route Helper ($15-20/hour, no CDL required) represents most accessible entry point with physical demanding work assisting drivers, early morning shifts (4am-6am), and behind-the-scenes waste collection. Medical Waste Driver positions ($18-26/hour) accessible with clean driving record (DUI within 3-5 years disqualifies drivers but non-traffic felonies widely acceptable). Warehouse Associate ($16-22/hour) and Waste Treatment Technician ($17-24/hour) provide alternative pathways. Career advancement realistic with Stericycle promoting from within extensively—Route Helper → Driver (company sponsors CDL) → Route Supervisor ($50k-$70k) over 3-5 years. Apply to 3-5 Stericycle facilities for maximum opportunities across 300+ nationwide locations.

Key Takeaways for 2025:

• Stericycle is felon-friendly with case-by-case evaluation

• Route Helper $15-20/hour most accessible (no CDL, physical labor, early shifts)

• Medical Waste Driver $18-26/hour (clean driving record critical, non-traffic felonies OK)

• DUI within 3-5 years disqualifies driver positions (warehouse roles still possible)

• Apply to 3-5 Stericycle facilities (300+ locations, manager discretion varies)

• Physical capability and early morning availability (4am-6am) increase hiring odds

• Company sponsors CDL training for reliable helpers (advance from $15/hr to $18-26/hr)

• Career path: Route Helper → Driver → Supervisor ($50k-$70k) over 3-5 years

• Non-violent felonies widely accepted across all positions

• Healthcare fraud faces scrutiny in medical waste industry • Pre-employment drug testing required—must pass to get hired

• Waste management industry broadly accessible for people with records

• 300+ facilities nationwide provide widespread opportunities