Walmart Inc., major U.S. retail company, has announced a significant pay increase and role restructuring for pharmacy staff across thousands of its store locations in the United States.
The move increases career opportunities and earning potential for pharmacy technicians and newly created operations team lead roles, many without requiring a college degree, as part of Walmart’s broader Health & Wellness division investment.
This latest adjustment is for pharmacy teams in Walmart’s approximately 4,600 pharmacy locations nationwide, aiming to support local healthcare services and strengthen staffing amid rising demand for in-store care and pharmacy services.
Under the updated compensation framework announced by Walmart, the company has elevated 3,000 existing pharmacy technician roles into pharmacy operations team lead positions and increased the wage range for these roles:
Pharmacy Operations Team Lead: Average pay of about $28 per hour, with earning potential up to $42 per hour, excluding bonuses, depending on location.
Pharmacy Technicians: Technicians previously earning an average of $22 per hour can now earn up to approximately $40.50 per hour, based on location and other factors.
These changes represent a substantial increase in hourly wage potential compared with previous pay scales and are intended to reflect the expanding responsibilities of pharmacy support staff within Walmart’s healthcare services.
Walmart has structured these roles to be accessible without a college degree, opening opportunities for a wider range of job applicants.
Positions such as pharmacy sales associate, pharmacy technician, and pharmacy operations team lead do not require formal higher education credentials.
Walmart also pays for associates to become certified pharmacy technicians, with certification often associated with higher pay within the expanded wage ranges.
The company noted that more than 22,000 associates have completed their certification through Walmart’s training support programs since 2016, enhancing their potential for career growth and leadership opportunities within pharmacy operations.
Walmart’s expansion of pay and roles for pharmacy staff is part of a broader effort to enhance its healthcare offerings. This includes bolstering local pharmacy teams to support services such as vaccinations, prescription management, immunization delivery, and expanded digital health options like home delivery and partnerships with services such as LillyDirect.
(Rh)