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 77 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 68 reviews)); "Great team to work with." ((in 55 reviews)); "Great environment to work in" ((in 30 reviews)); "Benefits were great." ((in 29 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 219 reviews)); "management is bad" ((in 99 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 62 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

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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

5.0

Jan 27, 2016

It is A amazing company to work for!

Assistant workshop manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

They are very caring. If you ever have anything go on it to ur life they are extreamly understanding and genuinely care about you. It is a well kept store and really fun to be there.

Cons

I don't have any right now. I am really happy working there.

2.0

Jan 25, 2016

Ruffled Feathers

Bear service representative

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Very flexible work schedule- work-life-family balance There is always yummy left overs from meetings Easy calls

Cons

Little pay- no opportunities for growth- you ARE FOREVER A PART TIME WORKER The other departments treat the Call Center employees like crap Its very unprofessional They will hire anybody The only way you can go to a different department is if you are blonde hair, size 2 and young There is no Career guidance management sucks- she is never available. Gives performance reviews out of thin air. no opportunities to growth The performance appraisals are a joke- Through out the whole year you never see any number or know how you are doing and then at beginning of the year you are emailed on things you never knew you were being graded for and have 1 day to respond. HR pretends to care and doesn't have a clue on all the negative things going on in department Lead are always gossiping

5.0

Jan 14, 2016

Excellent experience

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Had many opportunities to learn from lots of different people within the company. Gave me a valuable insight into my chosen field.

Cons

Nothing bad to say about the company. I really enjoyed my time there.

Viewing 178 - 180 of 1,771 Reviews

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