More than 1.2 million Walmart and Sam’s Club employees in the United States can expect a raise in Thursday's paycheck.

Included in that number are more than 44,000 workers at the 174 stores in Ohio according to a news release from the retail chain.

People hired before the first of the year will earn at least $10 per hour.

Employees hired as of this year will still start at $9 per hour, but move to a minimum of $10 per hour after successfully completing a corporate retail skills and training program.

Those already earning more than $10 per hour will see their annual pay increase starting in March rather than waiting until their anniversary date.

Walmart says the increases are part of the company’s two-year, $2.7 billion investment to increase pay, improve training, clarify career paths and create additional educational opportunities for its workers.