【Epoch Times, January 24, 2025】 Walmart is increasing the compensation for regional store managers (market managers), with a maximum annual salary of over $600,000 for top performers this year.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, Walmart recently notified these supervisors, each responsible for approximately 12 stores, that their bonuses and stock rewards would be increased. This reflects the importance of these positions to the company’s success.
The annual income range for market managers will increase from $320,000 to $570,000 last year to $420,000 to $620,000. Stock rewards will increase from $75,000 to $100,000, and annual bonuses will rise to 100% of base salary. The minimum base salary has been raised from $130,000 to $160,000, while the maximum base salary remains at $260,000.
Despite many companies cutting mid-level management positions, Walmart’s salary adjustments demonstrate the critical nature of these roles. Market managers oversee around 12 stores, each employing approximately 300 staff, and regularly visit the stores. Walmart currently employs around 440 market managers in the United States, responsible for managing about 4,600 stores.
This American multinational retail corporation is the world’s largest retailer and the largest company, with 8,500 stores globally across 15 countries; in the United States, it is present in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Walmart executives point out that in recent years, the company has raised the salaries of store employees and management to reduce turnover rates and attract top talent. Last year, the company added annual bonuses for store hourly workers and increased store manager compensation, with top performers earning over $400,000 annually. Many people start from store positions without a college degree, but this does not hinder their advancement. The salary increase for market managers is a further step in this direction.
At the same time, Walmart is reducing benefits for office staff, such as gradually ending remote work and standardizing health insurance plans. Some office employees outside the Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters were informed that starting in 2026, their medical insurance benefits will not be as generous as before. Two years ago, Walmart began adjusting job titles and salary ranges, reducing the total compensation for some office employees outside the headquarters.
These measures demonstrate Walmart’s strategy of balancing between reducing labor costs and attracting core talent.