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 1,851 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 (394) , 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 76 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 67 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 60 reviews)); "Team within the store is great" ((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 243 reviews)); "management is bad" ((in 99 reviews)); "If you do get promoted from associate manager to assistant manager you get another dollar." ((in 62 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 31 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

Skip to content Skip to footer

Notifications

Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear reviews

3.8

59% would recommend to a friend

(1,770 total reviews)

Sharon John

60% approve of CEO

51% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.9

Diversity & inclusion

3.7

Culture & values

3.6

Work/Life balance

3.3

Senior management

3.1

Career opportunities

2.8

Compensation and benefits

Build-A-Bear has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,770 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).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

2K reviews

4.0

Apr 11, 2018

Sales Associate

Retail sales associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Working with kids, holiday presents, recognition of good work

Cons

Understaffed a lot of the time, so you have to do a lot of running around when a rush of people come in, hard to get hours

3.0

Mar 25, 2018

Typical sales

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexibility in hours and days.

Cons

Dealing with rowdy kids and unappreciative parents.

5.0

Mar 22, 2018

Sales Associate

Sales associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

It was honestly so much fun to work here. You get to be a part of a lot of special "firsts" for kids getting their first bear, and also parents who are expecting their first child. Every person has a story for why they are making their bear, and being able to hear the story behind it was always neat. Plus, working with kids is always the best place to be!

Cons

The one thing I disliked the most was having to do birthday parties for a group of kids who had parents that could care less. Either the child's excitement was completely ignored, or the group became so unruly it was hard to truly lead them. Rather than enjoy the experience and being involved, we often became babysitters. The only time these parents seemed to step in would be when you had no choice but to get stern with the children because they aren't following the rules or being respectful. Because who are we to tell Little Johnny that it's not safe to climb in the bear bins or up the clothing display walls?

Viewing 151 - 153 of 1,770 Reviews

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Toys "R" Us

3.5★Compensation & Benefits

Games Workshop

3.8★Compensation & Benefits

Radio Flyer

4.5★Compensation & Benefits

AMain

3.7★Compensation & Benefits

Jobs at Build-A-Bear

Part Time Sales Associate - Fashion Show

Las Vegas, NV

View job

Part Time Sales Associate - Waterford Lakes Town Center

Orlando, FL

View job

Part Time Sales Associate - Valley Plaza Mall

Part Time Sales Associate - The Promenade in Temecula

Part Time Sales Associate - Phipps Plaza

Atlanta, GA

View job