Apple will raise pay for employees in a tight labor market

Key takeaways: 

• Wednesday, the firm said that Apple increased pay for corporate and retail employees in response to market situations.
• Apple will raise the starting salary for its retail workers in the U.S. to $22 an hour.

Apple said on Wednesday that it would increase pay for corporate and retail employees later this year. The move arrives during a historically tight labor market in the U.S. and as employees engage with advanced inflation and expense of living.

Apple’s move comes after Google, Amazon, and Microsoft changed their payment structures in recent weeks to pay workers more to keep and draw talent.

“Supporting and having the best team members globally allows us to deliver the best, most innovative products and services for our clients,” an Apple representative said. “This year, as part of our yearly performance review process, we’re raising our overall compensation funding.”

Apple will also increase the starting salary for its retail workers in the U.S. to $22 an hour, up from $20.

Stores in specific areas may have higher starting pay, Apple said.

The upsurge in retail salaries was declared as Apple faces retail union drives asking for higher wages across the nation. Employees at a shop in Atlanta, Georgia, will vote in June on whether to manage with the Communication Workers of America.