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 77 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 66 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 61 reviews)); "Working with great teams." ((in 51 reviews)); "Benefits were great." ((in 34 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 228 reviews)); "Vert short staffed and management poor" ((in 107 reviews)); "If you do get promoted from associate manager to assistant manager you get another dollar." ((in 68 reviews)); "Long hours or hours getting cut if it was quiet" ((in 60 reviews)); "Pays minimum wage and very hard to love up" ((in 30 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

Mar 24, 2024

Company never will help you

Senior manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Human Resources,they don’t care about employees behavior.

Cons

Even though there were several instances of employee harassment and violence , reported human resources department, the company did not show any interest in the problem or provide any help. All they care about is selling products, I can't believe that perpetrators of violence work for children.

4.0

Mar 9, 2024

A fun and fulfilling job if you are financially stable

Part time sales lead

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Fantastic team in store and in company, super fun product line, enjoyable work, and good discount too! It's honestly been my favorite PT job.

Cons

The company does not care about COVID-19 anymore, even though my team has been heavily affected by it. Additionally the pay is not ideal but they do give bonuses for stores that perform well and they do periodically increase our discount before big gift giving holidays.

1.0

Nov 17, 2023

Exhausted and overworked but still underpaid

Sales associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The work atmosphere is still somewhere positive thanks to our clients

Cons

Employees of this company are overworked and perpetually exhausted, but we are still underpaid. It's clear as day that the compensation provided by our greedy management does not match the amount of work and hours that employees have to fulfill. Once I find another opportunity, I'll leave this company in a heartbeat.

Viewing 64 - 66 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

Company never will help you

A fun and fulfilling job if you are financially stable

Exhausted and overworked but still underpaid

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Build-A-Bear