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 1,851 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 (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 73 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 71 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 60 reviews)); "Fun and Friendly Staff" ((in 50 reviews)); "they have really good benefits" ((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 239 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 64 reviews)); "Long hours or hours getting cut if it was quiet" ((in 58 reviews)); "Minimum wage and even when I was offered tips from guests I wasn't allowed to accept them." ((in 31 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

Build-A-Bear reviews

3.8

59% would recommend to a friend

(1,770 total reviews)

Sharon John

60% approve of CEO

51% positive business outlook

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Build-A-Bear has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,770 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).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews

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.

5.0

Apr 2, 2012

They became my family!

Bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I worked at BABW for nearly six years and cried when I left. They became some of my closest friends and I loved working there! I cannot thank BABW for a better first job experience!

Cons

The holidays are very stressfull and the late/early hours can be hard, but they always made it worth it.

3.0

Mar 14, 2012

Love the job, not the management style

Bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

- the impact you make on kids - competitive pay - 30% discount w/ 50% off during major holiday seasons - great for outgoing people

Cons

- feedback from customers can be circumstantial (ie. they are unhappy about the busy weekend) - really picky parents ruin the child's experience - not a career job - scheduling is really rough sometimes, even as a part time employee - management staff can be really unfair to people new to the job market - pay bi-weekly, not every week

Viewing 1759 - 1761 of 1,770 Reviews

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Toys "R" Us

3.5★Compensation & Benefits

Games Workshop

3.8★Compensation & Benefits

Radio Flyer

4.5★Compensation & Benefits

AMain

3.7★Compensation & Benefits

Jobs at Build-A-Bear

Part Time Sales Associate - Riverside Walmart

Part Time Sales Associate - Phoenix Walmart SC

Phoenix, AZ

View job

Part Times Sales Associate - Willowbrook

Part Time Sales Associate - Plaza Las Americas

Part Time Sales Associate - Menlo Park Mall

Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Great Experience and MEMORIES

They became my family!

Love the job, not the management style

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Build-A-Bear