Walmart will give 275 workers at the Bellingham store pay raises later this week.

The retail giant is increasing most of its associates’ pay to $10 an hour starting with the March 10 paycheck.

It’s part of a two-year effort for the company to increase wages and training for its workers across the country. The goal is to attract and keep workers.

The company is billing the effort as the largest single-day, private-sector pay increase ever with more than 1.2 million Walmart and Sam’s Club associates receiving the bump. In Washington, 19,200 Walmart employees will receive pay raises.

Whatcom County only has one store at 4420 Meridian St. in Bellingham. At that store, 275 workers will see pay raises.

All associates hired before Jan. 1 will be paid $10 an hour. Entry-level workers hired after Jan. 1 will make $9.47 until they’ve completed the company’s training program.

Sales associates already earning more than $10 an hour will see their annual pay increase start in March rather than their anniversary date.

Associates who are at or above their “pay band” maximum will  receive a one-time lump sum payment equal to 2 percent of their annual pay.