Walmart plans to hire over 50,000 U.S. workers in Q1

(Reuters) -Walmart Inc said on Wednesday it plans to hire more than 50,000 workers in the United States in the first quarter, as the U.S. retailer looks to bolster its fulfillment centers and stores.

Walmart said the new hires would fill roles at its stores, clubs, campuses and supply chain facilities.

The announcement comes a day after the company said it would hire thousands of workers for its new tech hubs in Toronto and Atlanta.

U.S. job openings fell in January, but remained near record highs as worker shortages persisted, pointing to a tight labor market that would continue to generate strong wage gains and contribute to keeping inflation high.

Walmart’s average hourly rate is $16.40 an hour in the United States and the starting wage goes up to $30 an hour in select roles and markets, Chief People Officer Donna Morris said in a post on its corporate website.

The retailer said it had hired 5,500 pharmacists or pharmacy managers, over 13,000 pharmacy technicians and nearly 4,500 truck drivers last year. It also unveiled in September plans to hire 150,000 new U.S. store workers, most of them permanent.

The Wall Street Journal had first reported the hiring news.

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Bengaluru; Editing by Amy Caren Daniel)