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

May 19, 2015

International Franchise has Issues

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great store teams On the job learning

Cons

Unprofessional behavior at senior executive level Job roles not defined Wages not paid consistently on time

5.0

Apr 30, 2015

Great place to work. Perfect for a first job!

Sales assistant/bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Everyone is lovely. You feel like you can ask the mangers anything if you are unsure of what you are doing! Fun environment. You get to meet some really interesting characters!

Cons

As you get older the 4 hour contract isn't practical. And getting sent home after 2 hours of work isn't great either.

5.0

Apr 7, 2015

Best place EVER!

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I absolutely loved working for Build-a-Bear despite the cons. It is a really fun environment. My manager was the kindest, most down to earth individual. You must like children as it is basically a children's store. I never walked into work and stayed in a bad mood as the people always cheer you up.

Cons

The contract is only 4 hours but you are normally given more depending on how well you work. The pay isn't the best. Holiday pay is paid to you as and when you earn the holiday hours which can be a bit of a pain. High turnover due to a lot of young people coming and going.

Viewing 1735 - 1737 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

International Franchise has Issues

Great place to work. Perfect for a first job!

Best place EVER!

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Build-A-Bear