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 69 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 60 reviews)); "Team within the store is great" ((in 53 reviews)); "Also it was a great environment for young bubbly personality." ((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 235 reviews)); "management is bad" ((in 101 reviews)); "If you do get promoted from associate manager to assistant manager you get another dollar." ((in 63 reviews)); "Long hours or hours getting cut if it was quiet" ((in 57 reviews)); "Pays minimum wage and very hard to love up" ((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

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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

4.0

Jun 28, 2025

Great for a side gig or just starting out!

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

-our particular management...AWESOME! We are very lucky. I have heard other locations that are not so lucky :( -Fun work environment. Love the kiddos, love the bears -Not a lot of pressure to work a ton of hours if you dont want to or cant -kids are never the problem

Cons

-low hourly pay (even compared to other retail stores in the mall...Corporate seems a little "out of touch") -customers & corporate are often tone deaf about reality of economy & economic justice (customers complain about price of bear unknowing bear builders make less than cost of cheapest base bear skin per hour before taxes for labor...corporate continues to offer less bonuses & discounts for associates and fails to increase wage).

3.0

Jun 26, 2025

build a bear

Bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

was okay to work at

Cons

management was not great and drama

4.0

Jun 25, 2025

Its okay.

Sales associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Working with great teams. Nice benefits inc. discounts.

Cons

Upselling Children screaming Can be overwhelming

Viewing 88 - 90 of 1,771 Reviews

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