WORKERS without college educations can still become some of America’s top earners under Walmart’s so-called blue-collar revolution.
The supermarket brand is offering massive $600,000 salaries to some dedicated working-class employees instead of catering to white-collar talent.
For the past few years, Walmart, the largest private employer in the US, has been introducing plans to retain employees and reward them for years of service.
In the fall of 2023, the supermarket giant eliminated college degree requirements, allowing salesfloor employees to work their way up to corporate offices.
And on Thursday, the company announced a massive change for market managers, who research multiple Walmart stores and find solutions to maximize profits.
“Walmart is increasing the starting base pay for the market manager position from $130,000 to $160,000,” Walmart spokesperson Anne Hatfield told Axios.
The retail giant announced bigger bonuses and stock awards for these supervisors, highlighting their growing role in the company’s success.
Annual stock grants for the employees have been raised from $75,000 to $100,000, and bonus potential has been increased from 90% to 100% of their base salaries.
With the new changes, market managers now earn between $420,000 and $620,000 with full bonuses, a jump from last year’s range of $320,000 to $570,000.
Walmart employs over 400 market managers across the US, each responsible for supervising around a dozen stores.
“This is the latest in a series of investments in hourly and salaried roles across Walmart US,” Hatfield said.
Meanwhile, Walmart is scaling back employee perks, including the option for remote work.
Walmart is also reducing pay for certain roles and moving workers to the same health insurance plan as most store employees.
Last year, Walmart boosted store manager pay, raising the average salary from $117,000 to $128,000, and introduced bonus programs for store managers and hourly associates.
“Store managers and market managers that are getting bonuses will get their payout with the higher percentages in mid-March,” Hatfield said.
The new plan options come with higher deductibles, as one plan requires workers and their families to pay a $5,500 annual deductible, documents shared with The Wall Street Journal reveal.
The change will impact fewer than 1% of corporate employees and is set to take effect in 2026.
The Wall Street Journal reported that retailers and restaurants are struggling to fill leadership positions amid fierce competition.
According to Business Insider, American businesses have been cutting midlevel management positions for the past two years, all in the pursuit of greater efficiency and cost savings.
Last year in September, Amazon revealed plans to boost the worker-to-manager ratio by 15% by the end of Q1 2025.
Walmart's full statement on salary increases
“We know it’s our people who make the difference at Walmart. That’s why we’re continuing to invest in them – with the latest investments focused on our Walmart U.S. market managers. These leaders play an important role in our company’s success by overseeing multiple stores, leading thousands of associates in their market, serving our customers and ensuring smooth operations.
Walmart is people-led, tech-powered and we’ll continue to focus on ways we can help people save money and live better.“
Source: Donna Morris, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Walmart
In December, Google CEO Sundar Pichai informed staff that the company had reduced managerial roles by 10% as part of its ongoing cost-cutting efforts.
Walmart’s boost in bonuses and rewards for mid-level managers highlights the continuing value and stability of these roles.
“We know it’s our people who make the difference at Walmart,” Donna Morris, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Walmart, said on LinkedIn.
“That’s why we’re continuing to invest in them – with the latest investments focused on our Walmart US market managers.
“These leaders play an important role in our company’s success by overseeing multiple stores, leading thousands of associates in their market, serving our customers and ensuring smooth operations.”
After the Walmart changes were announced, excited business leaders were left in shock.
“I’ve never been a huge fan of Walmart but I have to give props. Front line leaders and workers are the people who make the wheels go round,” said Chris Gillen.
“Folks, I’ve talked about this in so many different forums, but these are the kinds of jobs that AI cannot easily replace,” Joseph T. Yun, a research professor at the University of Pittsburgh, posted on his LinkedIn
“The blue-collar revolution is in progress.”
GettyLast year, Walmart introduced bonus programs for store managers and hourly associates.[/caption] Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Walmart paying workers over $600,000 per year in ‘blue-collar revolution’ – and even beginner staff get over $160,000 )
Also on site :
- Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Sunday, June 8
- At least 40 hospitalised after suspected food poisoning in western Iraq
- NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for June 8