Walmart - CC BY 2.0

Walmart store.

According to Walmart, more than 31,000 Arizona workers at Walmart and Sam's Clubs stores received raises Thursday. That includes more than 17,000 in the Valley.

The company said its part of a two-year, $2.7 billion investment in higher pay, better training and career and educational opportunities. Walmart said it has more than 1.2 million associates across the United States.

Last year, Target followed Walmart’s lead and raised its minimum starting salary to $9 an hour. Earlier this month, Costco announced it would raise its minimum wage, so workers will make at least $13 an hour.