Klein Tools reviews

3.7

65% would recommend to a friend

(241 total reviews)
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Tom Klein

81% approve of CEO

65% positive business outlook

Klein Tools has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 241 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Klein Tools employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Manufacturing industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

241 reviews
4.0
Oct 29, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Been with Klein Tools for 14 years. Seen a lot of changes, some "good" some I have to question, however taking into account the company has been profitable for 150+ years, I feel our direction is positive. Klein Products are one of the most respected brands in the tool industry with all hand tools and safety equipment still made in the USA. Current management is focused on long term growth and stability

Cons

Like any smaller, family owned business there are concerns with family members being groomed for positions they may not be qualified for, hey if you have problems with that I guess you should move on - it is "their" company after all. Lots of focus on moving the company's manufacturing plants to a central campus operation in Texas has caused a considerable amount of disruption and dissatisfaction among all employees, salaried more so than hourly. The move to Texas appears to be a good long term business strategy, however there are a lot of short term pains that must be endured and a lot good, key employees are either bailing or getting left out in the process. Like a lot of smaller companies the health benefits have taken a hit with rising out of pocket expenses and co-pay increases.

1.0
Aug 8, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Exposure to many departments of the company is common; you can learn a lot in a short time period because is this. Truthfully, if you are green you can learn a LOT about how not to run a company; which can be an incredibly valuable lesson for your business future. There are many REALLY good people here that great to work with and have fantastic vision and potential - but unfortunately they are completely overlooked. A great manager/engineer at KP, visionary and talented young manager in Mansfield, several fantastic engineers and IT techs here in corporate, many more all totally underutilized and underappreciated. SEVERAL YEARS AGO THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL PRAISE!

Cons

15 years ago is roughly when I hired on, salary was decent but benefits were amazing and that is why I made my choice. Since then things have deteriorated, benefits slashed blaming the recession all while the company maintained record margin. Now the benefits are average at best and salary below average. I've waited it out hoping for the company to make the right decision and boost total compensation back to average or above average but that looks like it is not going to happen. No support or "reward system" for thinking outside the box or driving positive change. In many cases this causes high levels of inefficiency. I pain to say this but because of the above, there are many of us that have been around the block that know the system and skate by looking like heroes while these younger ones who are really making progress get steam rolled. Reading the other reviews reinforces this. I can't watch anymore.

1.0
May 28, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The hiring managers you work with will become some of your biggest advocates and make the days easier. They check in on you, support you, and advocate for you more than your Recruiting leadership will. The company as a whole has a good culture, but it does not seep into certain depts.

Cons

If you are seeking a Recruiter position, this company and their TA dept may not be the best fit for individuals seeking a supportive or structured work environment. The expectations can extend far beyond normal working hours, normal projects, and the level of oversight may feel excessive for some. Compensation was a concern, as it did not appear to align with industry standards or remain consistent across team members in similar roles. Greater transparency around pay structure would be beneficial. Turnover on the recruiting team is relatively high, with many employees staying less than a year. Based on my experience, onboarding and training were limited, and there was an expectation to perform at a high level very quickly. This environment may feel challenging for those who prefer a more gradual ramp-up period. While some hiring managers were collaborative and supportive, leadership style at higher levels could be perceived as inconsistent or difficult. In certain situations, communication in meetings came across as unprofessional - and at times unethical - which impacted overall team morale. There were also instances where workplace concerns did not appear to be addressed as thoroughly as expected, which may be important for candidates who value clear policies and accountability. Overall, I would encourage candidates to ask detailed questions during the interview process about team turnover, training, expectations, and compensation structure to ensure alignment with their preferences and ethics. Also caution that their benefits are incredibly outdated. Ask for their benefits package before proceeding with interviews. Specifically ask about parental leave, PTO, and 401k.

Viewing 16 - 18 of 241 Reviews

Glassdoor has 258 Klein Tools reviews submitted anonymously by Klein Tools employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Klein Tools is right for you.