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 73 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 71 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 60 reviews)); "Fun and Friendly Staff" ((in 50 reviews)); "they have really good benefits" ((in 33 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 239 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 64 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

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

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (1,770 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 1,770 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).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews

4.0

Apr 5, 2019

Retail assistant

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Very friendly staff, nice work environment, everyone supports you and what your goals are. Store management in my branch were very kind and supported, giving constructive criticism in a fun way, and explaining why that criticism was brought up.

Cons

Pay isn't the best. You need a lot of enthusiasm for that job, and pay falls more on the lower side of the spectrum for retail assistants working in the city

4.0

Mar 31, 2019

Great, fun place to work for your first job

Bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

As the title states, this is a fun place to work for your first job. The training you receive is thorough and you can receive additional training as and when you need it. Everyone works as team and you feel as though the managers are on your level and not above you.

Cons

You are sometimes expected to be pushy with customers to reach sales targets which an ultimately put customers off from spending more. Having to dress up in the bear costume for children's birthday parties is not a particularly pleasant experience. You can get pretty hot working there, especially if you get stuck on the stuffing machine all day.

1.0

Mar 13, 2019

Terrible pressure sales to children

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The Teddy bears were cute

Cons

Sales tactics to target kids were gross

Viewing 1666 - 1668 of 1,770 Reviews

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Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Retail assistant

Great, fun place to work for your first job

Terrible pressure sales to children

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Build-A-Bear