LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Employees at the UPS Worldport will be seeing larger paychecks next month. The fulfillment company announced Wednesday it would raise wages for part time night and day shifts, the second pay bump in just as many months.

Starting Sept. 5, the starting pay for Next Day Air night shift employees increases to $21 per hour, up from $18.50. Second Day Air day shift workers will earn $20 per hour, a hefty increase from $16.50.

The company previously announced a similar pay raise in mid-July, bumping starting pay for night shift and day shift from $14.50 to $18.50 and $16.50 respectively. The upcoming September increase reflects struggles with Kentucky's slow-rebounding labor market.

Newly-hired employees from Kentucky coming off unemployment also are eligible for the state’s $1,500 back-to-work incentive, which has gotten of to a strikingly slow start.

UPS has long been heralded for its employment package, which often includes significant reimbursement for college expenses for employees working through school. As Kentucky continues to recover from the pandemic, UPS said market conditions determined the need for a pay adjustment.

"I applaud UPS for doing so much to help this country win the war against COVID-19 by transporting PPE, testing materials and lifesaving vaccines," Gov. Andy Beshear said in July. "UPS, one of our largest employers, is now stepping up to help more Kentuckians return to the workforce by raising starting wages and supporting our back-to-work incentive. With partners like UPS our economy will continue to boom as we emerge from this pandemic."

Those interested in a job at UPS can apply through their online portal. Representatives with UPS said you can be on the job in as little as five days, after passing the required TSA background check.