Walmart has raised its hourly wages for more than 36,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacy technicians, including more than 1,600 in California.
The mega-retailer said it also plans to hire 5,000 additional pharmacy technicians this year.
The pay increase took effect this week, bringing their average wage to more than $20 an hour. The company has also committed to more frequent wage increases that will increase wages by up to $4 an hour for new employees over the next four years. The pharmacy tech would get growth every six months in his first two years with the company.
Walmart said it will also pay 100% of the cost for pharmacy tech certification. This includes everything from obtaining a career diploma and on-the-job training, testing preparation, and paying certification exam fees.
“This is the second time we have made significant salary investments for this group of associates after their salary increase in August last year,” the company said. “We’re sending a strong signal to pharmacy technicians everywhere that Walmart is serious about attracting top talent and giving them the tools to build a successful career.”
Walmart said its pharmacy technology has been “front and center” during the pandemic as millions of customers and members were tested for COVID-19, adding that many of the drugs used to help administer vaccines across the country “Gone above and beyond”.
“Our Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacy technicians have proven time and again how much they mean to the communities they serve,” the company said. “Simply put, our pharmacy technicians are heroes in their communities.”
