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 1,852 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 (90) , 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

(1,771 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 1,771 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

3.0

Apr 12, 2016

Associate Manager

Associate manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The people are awesome, the store feels like a family and people are always there to help you with anything. The guests are mainly tourists but some locals and they always have a story to tell you some of the best memories I have at this store are from the guests

Cons

The company has moved in a new direction and it is making for a hostile work environment. The once family feel of the store is slowly leaving along with the managers and employees who have been with the company for years. They should really hold everyone to the same standards and not play favorites. Hopefully they see that the more they move away from the fun and family atmosphere the more they will loss their employees

3.0

Apr 9, 2016

Sales Associate

Bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

A very friendly work environment. You feel like your get to go to work and play all day! A variety of positions throughout the day to break up the monotony.

Cons

They had/have on call scheduling so your set to call in at a certain time to see if they need you. This made it very difficult to have a second job as on days your weren't scheduled you still might need to call in and 99% of the time they don't need you. You are only scheduled maybe 15 hours a week so a second job seems very necessary but when asked if they would be understanding instead you get "we are your first job we will not entertain scheduling requests for a second job.

3.0

Apr 4, 2016

Ehh it was okay

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good people, good outlook. They seemed to really care about their employees, and most stores have a good atmosphere. Overall not too bad compared to some jobs.

Cons

poor pay, long hours. Often feel the pressure to reach sales goals that are unattainable, which is both disheartening and annoying as you are constantly reminded that your job depends on meeting these goals. The pay is not the best figuring all of the work you have to do.

Viewing 172 - 174 of 1,771 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

Analyst, Internal Audit & Compliance

United States

View job

Senior Specialist, Field Training

United States

View job

Part Time Sales Associate - Fashion Show

Las Vegas, NV

View job

Part Time Sales Associate - Valley Plaza Mall

Part Time Sales Associate - Waterford Lakes Town Center

Orlando, FL

View job