Walmart has announced a significant pay hike for employees working in its pharmacy operations across the United States, offering a welcome boost to thousands of frontline healthcare workers. The move reflects the retail giant’s growing focus on strengthening in-store healthcare services and supporting staff who play a critical role in patient care.
As part of the new structure, around 3,000 pharmacy technician roles have been upgraded to pharmacy operations team lead positions. These roles now earn an average of $28 an hour, with top pay going as high as $42 an hour, depending on location, experience, and performance. For many workers, this marks a major step up in both responsibility and income.
Walmart has also expanded pay ranges for pharmacy technicians, who can now earn up to $40.50 an hour, compared with earlier average wages of about $22 an hour. Importantly, many of these roles do not require a college degree, making them accessible to workers seeking stable, well-paying jobs without formal higher education.
The company says the wage increase is part of a broader effort to attract, retain, and motivate skilled pharmacy staff at a time when healthcare workers across the US are facing heavier workloads and rising costs of living. Walmart also continues to invest in employee growth by covering certification expenses for pharmacy technicians. Since 2016, the retailer has helped more than 22,000 employees gain professional pharmacy certifications.
For workers on the ground, the changes translate into more than just higher pay. The new roles offer clearer career pathways, leadership opportunities, and a sense of recognition for the work they do daily, filling prescriptions, assisting patients, and supporting pharmacists in busy community settings.
Walmart’s pharmacy employees also receive benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans with company matching, adding to the overall value of the compensation package.
Also Read: ElevenLabs raises $500 mn, valuation jumps to $11 bn
