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 76 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 71 reviews)); "Team within the store is great" ((in 52 reviews)); "Great environment to work in" ((in 31 reviews)); "Benefits were great." ((in 28 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 233 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 66 reviews)); "Long hours or hours getting cut if it was quiet" ((in 59 reviews)); "Pays minimum wage and very hard to love up" ((in 29 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

(1,769 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 1,769 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).

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 28, 2012

Truly a fun place to work at store level. A family environment.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Work life balance Flexible hours Fair compensation and bonus structure Watching our guests create not only a bear, but a memory too.

Cons

In the retail world, most holidays tend to be the busiest work times. It is the same here, but you would be hard pressed to find a retail store that wasn't that way.

2.0

Apr 24, 2012

Run!

Chief workshop manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

There were rarely angry customers and the company really believes in doing what's right by their guests. Company always stands behind their product.

Cons

The district manager was a workaholic and expected nothing less from her staff. Floor set changes always scheduled for holidays i.e Easter day, Christmas eve when they could be easily done a few days in advance so that staff could enjoy the holiday. Cuts in labour leaves little room to give part time staff any hours and to retain staff.

4.0

Apr 10, 2012

Great Experience and MEMORIES

Chief workshop manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

FUN, FAMILY CENTERED working environment Treated all levels of employees with respect Not a cut throat environment--very team centric and collaborative

Cons

Coming from a BIG BOX environment you will experience culture shock at some interpretations of HR policy and procedures. Not every DM's interpretations are the same.

Viewing 1756 - 1758 of 1,769 Reviews

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Radio Flyer

4.5★Compensation & Benefits

AMain

3.7★Compensation & Benefits

Vortex Optics

3.9★Compensation & Benefits

What Do You Meme

4.5★Compensation & Benefits

Jobs at Build-A-Bear

Part Time Sales Associate - Riverside Walmart

Part Time Sales Associate - Valley Plaza Mall

Part Time Sales Associate - Fashion Fair Mall

Part Time Sales Associate - Stockton Walmart SC

Part Time Sales Associate - Victorville Walmart SC