USA — Retail giant Walmart has announced an increase in wages for thousands of pharmacists and opticians in the United States as part of its broader strategy to expand primary care services across the country.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based chain revealed that approximately 3,700 pharmacists will receive a pay raise, effective immediately, bringing their average annual salary to over US$140,000, excluding bonuses and incentives.
In addition, more than 4,000 opticians will see an increase in their average hourly pay to over US$22.50, according to a blog post by Walmart executives.
While specific wage rates for last year and selection criteria for the salary hikes were not disclosed, Walmart spokesperson Nick DeMoss clarified that pay rates vary based on location and role. Hence, not all pharmacists and opticians will receive the average annual or hourly salary.
Walmart, being the largest private employer in the United States, recently announced its plan to double the number of in-store healthcare centers and expand into new states.
The company recognizes the potential of offering primary care services within its stores, leveraging its vast network and existing customer base.
By doubling the number of in-store healthcare centers and expanding into new states, Walmart aims to provide accessible and affordable healthcare options to communities across the country.
Health clinics located within retailers’ pharmacies played a significant role in administering COVID-19 vaccines and treatments during the pandemic.
Now, these companies are positioning themselves to capture a larger share of the healthcare services market.
Walmart’s “Health” centers typically offer primary care, dental care, behavioral health, and laboratory and X-ray services.
This wage increase comes almost a year after Walmart raised wages for 36,000 pharmacy technicians, increasing their average hourly pay to over US$20.
Notably, pharmacy technicians are not included in the current announcement, as they had already received a salary adjustment.
DeMoss clarified that pharmacists receive higher pay compared to technicians due to their advanced level of education and medical expertise.
In recent years, Walmart, CVS Health, and Amazon.com have been making significant strides in expanding their presence in the field of patient healthcare services.
These retail giants recognize the growing demand for accessible and convenient healthcare options and are actively seeking to position themselves as key players in the industry.
Amazon.com, known for its dominance in the e-commerce market, made a bold move by acquiring One Medical, a primary care provider, for a staggering US$3.49 billion.
This strategic acquisition allows Amazon to tap into the primary care sector, offering comprehensive medical services to its customers.
Meanwhile, CVS Health, a prominent pharmacy chain, has been steadily expanding its reach beyond traditional retail pharmacy services.
In a move to diversify its offerings, CVS made a significant investment by purchasing Signify Health, a leading provider of home healthcare services, for approximately US$8 billion.
This acquisition enables CVS to enhance its healthcare services by providing in-home care options for patients, particularly those with chronic conditions or in need of post-acute care.
By expanding into the home healthcare market, CVS aims to deliver comprehensive and personalized care to individuals in the comfort of their own homes.
In a blog post, Kevin Host, Senior Vice President of Walmart’s Pharmacy business, and David Reitnauer, Vice President of its Optical business, emphasized the company’s commitment to becoming an employer of choice in these fields.
They stated that Walmart’s investment in pay raises for pharmacists and opticians across its stores nationwide reflects their dedication to attracting and retaining talented individuals.
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