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

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

2.0

Jul 18, 2015

No Hours

Bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Staff is friendly and easy to work with. It's fun working with all the kids who are so excited about making their bears.

Cons

NO HOURS! You are lucky to get 4-8 hours a week, this is not enough to cover gas back and forth yet alone help pay your bills. It is not enjoyable when you know you are doing you job and you are being watched by the managers to make sure you are trying to up sell items to a 4 year old child. Managers go as far as pretending to clean the shelves right next to the stuffing machine so they can ease drop on your conversations with the customers.

1.0

Mar 22, 2015

Bear Builder

Bear builder associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Working with children and parents

Cons

They would call you in and then send you home after an hour. Waste of time.

3.0

Jan 22, 2015

Double edged sword

Associate workshop manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

You tend to have fun, and it's supposed to be a happy place. It's lively, and they let you dress up sometimes. There a lot of people your age too.

Cons

They can be shady with hiring, and dismissing employees, a lot of unknown drama goes on behind the scenes. They also tend to low ball you on how much they pay. It's not such a laborous, but some customers treat you very badly because of the fact that you work in a toy store, and it gets hard on you mentally. It's stressful.

Viewing 37 - 39 of 1,769 Reviews

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Radio Flyer

4.5★Compensation & Benefits

AMain

3.7★Compensation & Benefits

Vortex Optics

3.9★Compensation & Benefits

What Do You Meme

4.5★Compensation & Benefits

Jobs at Build-A-Bear

Specialist, Power Solutions

Senior Specialist, Benefits

Full Time Store Manager - Build-A-Bear ADVENTURE

Senior Specialist, Field Training

Saint Louis, MO

View job

Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

No Hours

Bear Builder

Double edged sword

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Build-A-Bear