Walmart Associates in Columbia To Receive Pay Raise

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Nearly 2,000 Walmart employees in the Columbia-area will see an increase in their paychecks this week, according to company officials.

The new 2016 average full time hourly wage at Walmart in South Carolina is $13.53.

The pay increases are part of the company’s two-year, $2.7 billion investment in higher pay, better training, clearer career paths and additional educational opportunities for its workers.

• All associates hired before Jan. 1, 2016 will earn at least $10/hour.
• New entry-level associates hired after Jan. 1will continue to start at $9/hour and will move to at least $10/hour after successfully completing the company’s new retail skills and training program known as Pathways.
• Associates already earning more than $10/hour will see their annual pay increase starting in March rather than waiting until their anniversary date.
• Walmart is raising the starting rate of its non-entry level hourly pay bands. Anyone earning below the new minimum will automatically move up to the new minimum.
• Associates at or above their pay band maximum will receive a one-time lump sum payment equal to 2 percent of their annual pay.