If you’ve seen posts claiming Walmart is hiking its minimum to $35/hour in 2025, take a breath. As of September 2025, there’s no verified corporate announcement that Walmart has raised its nationwide hourly minimum anywhere near $35. That talking point appears to be social-media speculation and “edutainment” content rather than a policy change. Meanwhile, Walmart has made real, sizable pay and bonus moves—primarily aimed at managers and some performance-based programs—over the past 18 months. Here’s the breakdown.
The big, confirmed raises hit managers first
In January 2025, Walmart increased compensation for multi-store Market Managers, lifting potential annual pay (base + bonus + stock) to over $600,000, with base salary moving from $130,000 to $160,000, stock grants from $75,000 to $100,000, and max bonus to 100% of base pay.
These changes built on a 2024 revamp for store managers that raised average base pay from $117,000 → $128,000 and redesigned bonuses so hitting all targets could yield up to 200% of base salary.
What about hourly wages?
For hourly associates, Walmart’s average U.S. wage is about $18/hour, and leadership has said hourly wages are up materially over the last decade (and over the past five years). But there’s no company-wide 2025 announcement pushing the minimum to the levels circulating on TikTok and other platforms.
On-the-ground reports from applicants and associates in 2025 typically show starting ranges around $14–$20/hour, varying by role and location (remember: Walmart uses local market factors, not a single national minimum). That aligns with application pay bands and recent
Reddit discussions from this year.
The 2024–2025 bonus and skills pipeline for hourly roles
Separate from base pay, Walmart also expanded bonus eligibility for hundreds of thousands of hourly associates via a store-performance and tenure-based plan announced in 2024, and it’s continued to emphasize skills programs (Live Better U, Walmart Academy) to move workers into higher-paying skilled-trade roles (HVAC, maintenance) or supervisory tracks. Those trades can pay roughly $19–$45/hour, depending on role and location.
Why the “$35/hour” claim keeps going viral?
Short-form videos generate engagement when they offer a shocking number, and “$35/hour at Walmart” is click-worthy. Some clips blur the line between aspiration, local outliers, and corporate policy. To date, credible outlets and official channels have not confirmed a Walmart-wide $35 floor. Treat bold claims without sources as rumor until they’re backed by filings, press releases, or consistent reporting across trusted business media.
What this means for different Walmart workers
Hourly associates / applicants
- Expect local ranges—often mid-teens to around $20/hour for entry-level roles—plus potential performance bonuses and tenure-based bonuses where eligible. Ask recruiters to show the exact pay band on your application screen and clarify which bonus plan applies at your store.
- If you want to climb the pay ladder faster, target roles on skilled-trades or leadership tracks that tie into Walmart Academy and Live Better U. Those pipelines exist precisely to upskill hourly workers into higher-pay brackets.
Current team leads / aspiring managers
- The clearest 2025 dollar increases landed in managerial compensation—especially market-level leaders—through bigger stock, higher base, and juicier bonus maxes. If leadership is your goal, the paths are transparent and increasingly well-paid.
Store managers
- Your comp structure—updated in 2024—now blends a higher average base with a richer bonus (up to 200% of base) tied to sales and profit targets, making total compensation meaningfully performance-sensitive.
Bottom line
- True: Walmart meaningfully boosted manager pay in 2024–2025, with market managers’ potential comp crossing $600K and store managers seeing larger base and bonus potential.
- Also true: Walmart continues to invest in hourly talent pipelines and bonus plans, with average hourly pay around $18 and advancement routes that can land workers in higher-paying skilled or supervisory roles.
- Not confirmed: A universal $35/hour minimum in 2025. Treat that as unverified unless Walmart publicly states it.
If you’re evaluating Walmart in 2025, anchor your expectations on local posted ranges, bonus eligibility, and career-path options—not viral headlines.
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