Is Build-A-Bear a good company to work for?

Build-A-Bear has an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5, based on over 1,850 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has increased by 2% over the last 12 months. 59% of employees would recommend working at Build-A-Bear to a friend and 51% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Build-A-Bear have been left by employees working as Master Bear Builder , Manager and Associate .

Does Build-A-Bear pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Build-A-Bear employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.8 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Build-A-Bear. This rating has improved by 2% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Build-A-Bear?

59% of Build-A-Bear employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Build-A-Bear 3.6 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.7 for culture and values and 3.1 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Build-A-Bear?

Bear Builder (393) , Sales Associate (238) , Sales Lead (93) , Sales Assistant/Bear Builder (89) , Assistant Manager (64) , Chief Workshop Manager (41) , Store Manager (39) , Assistant Workshop Manager (34) , Retail Sales Associate (32) , Sales Assistant (32) , Associate Manager (29) , Bear Builder Associate (21) , Associate Workshop Manager (19) , Manager (18) , Associate (17)

What are the pros of working at Build-A-Bear according to real employee reviews?

"Great for people not in college as there were shifts available during the week and was able to work a 2nd job alongside" ((in 73 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 70 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 60 reviews)); "Great team to work with." ((in 46 reviews)); "Great environment to work in" ((in 32 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Build-A-Bear according to real employee reviews?

"Pay is low and its not enough for the amount of times you're being used by your managers" ((in 236 reviews)); "Vert short staffed and management poor" ((in 103 reviews)); "If you do get promoted from associate manager to assistant manager you get another dollar." ((in 67 reviews)); "Long hours or hours getting cut if it was quiet" ((in 58 reviews)); "Minimum wage and even when I was offered tips from guests I wasn't allowed to accept them." ((in 28 reviews))

What are employees saying about Build-A-Bear layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Build-A-Bear layoffs and their outlook for job security at Build-A-Bear in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Build-A-Bear locations?

Saint Louis , New York , Houston , Atlanta , Nashville , Chicago , Dallas , San Antonio , Orlando , Boston , Freehold , Fairfax , Los Angeles , Las Vegas , Richmond , Albany , Tulsa , Indianapolis , Columbus , Anaheim , Jacksonville , Miami , Greensboro , Raleigh , Austin , Franklin , Toledo , San Diego , Overland Park , Pittsburgh

Build-A-Bear reviews

3.8

59% would recommend to a friend

(1,769 total reviews)

Sharon John

60% approve of CEO

51% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (1,769 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Build-A-Bear has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,769 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Build-A-Bear employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Retail & Wholesale industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews

1.0

Jan 17, 2018

Keep looking for a job

Asm

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Laid back atmosphere If you are just looking to be a bear builder then it is not a bad job.

Cons

Once you get into management there is very little training. They expect you to figure everything out on your own and then get mad when you fail. They set you up for failure. The pay is very low for the amount of work required. They hire very few quality employees so there is a lot of turn over. Inconsistent hours with very little free time. You are trained to be a pushy salesman far beyond retail norms.

1.0

Sep 14, 2016

Sales Associate

Sales associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexibility location customers environment you realize that you have to move on

Cons

everything to management, employees, dirty locker room

5.0

Jul 24, 2016

Great culture, fun company, empowering women

Analyst

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I love working at Build-A-Bear! The atmosphere is warm and friendly, the workplace culture is healthy (encourages collaboration, everybody fact-based and on the same team). The corporate office is 85% female, including most of the C-suite, so it is very empowering for women. Plus they have compressed work weeks that allow you to have every other Friday off!

Cons

Smaller corporate office (≈250 people) means fewer promotion opportunities. Workloads can be too big which often leads to long hours. Your manager can make a big difference, and since he or she is probably the only such manager at the company, you can't switch teams and do the same job.

Viewing 31 - 33 of 1,769 Reviews

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Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Keep looking for a job

Sales Associate

Great culture, fun company, empowering women

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Jobs at Build-A-Bear