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 1,853 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 (65) , 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 75 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 66 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 60 reviews)); "Team within the store is great" ((in 50 reviews)); "Benefits were great." ((in 33 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 240 reviews)); "management is bad" ((in 103 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 61 reviews)); "get paid minimum wage" ((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

(1,772 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 1,772 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

Feb 11, 2013

Best Work Experience Ever!!

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

-Management helped whenever possible -Well organized employer -Many small perks to keep up employee morale -A fun, light-hearted atmosphere -Many opportunities to snag extra hours if you want it -Ability to positively influence the lives of others

Cons

-Face may hurt at end of shift due to excessive smiling -May actually care about your co-workers -Jean shirt required to wear during the summer months is extremely stiff and hot -If you have severe allergies this may not be the best place for you. Small particles of fluff from the stuffing machines constantly float in the air and you'll always have lint on your clothes

5.0

Feb 7, 2013

Pawesome Place!

Develobear

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits, great work life balance, great respect for employees, a great opportunity to learn new things. They truly respect family values and have bent over backwards to accommodate my schedule to allow me to work and take care of my family.

Cons

The most meeting happy place I have ever worked. Often you can have 7 1/2 hours of meetings in one day!

4.0

Feb 5, 2013

Beary good

Chief workshop manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The job was fulfilling in many ways. The guests and the staff made it easy to get up and go to work.

Cons

Constantly having to watch hours employees are working because you only get hours based on actual sales. Sending employees home early when it is slow, happens way too much

Viewing 1708 - 1710 of 1,772 Reviews

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