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 76 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 67 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 60 reviews)); "Team within the store is great" ((in 51 reviews)); "Benefits were great." ((in 34 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 243 reviews)); "management is bad" ((in 99 reviews)); "If you do get promoted from associate manager to assistant manager you get another dollar." ((in 62 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

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Build-A-Bear

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 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 1,770 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).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

2K reviews

4.0

May 18, 2010

Build a Bear is a good place to work.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Build a Bear is a play to work type of environment. I like the non-pressure sales approach that is used by our company. Maxine Clark is a women who works hard and makes an excellent role model.

Cons

I am unable to take school vacation time with my children since this our busiest time of most seasons. I do not like the management structure of 1 manager 1 assistant and 2 part time key holder, I prefer a structure of 1 manager 2 assistants and 1 part time key holder.

4.0

Apr 12, 2010

The job is fairly easy. You have to go through a process of 1:1 interviewing where questions come from past experience

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

If you like children, this job is definitely perfect for you. It's a good starter job that can get you the experience needed for other work environments that involve kids. The hours aren't difficult either. Management is satisfactory.

Cons

The job can get a bit stressful when you have to deal with the kids on a day to day basis for hours at a time. There will be a good amount of screaming or crying heard.

5.0

Apr 6, 2010

Wonderful place to work if you love children

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Management was genuinely supportive and caring Great emphasis on guest satisfaction Fun environment For years after I graduated high school, they allowed me to come back and work seasonally during my college years Not a stressful job(Christmas season could be the exception)

Cons

My only complaint is that I wanted more hours. I understand that in any business, if the amount of revenue coming in is decreasing, hours decrease. So this isn't really a complaint about the company. I absolutely loved it there.

Viewing 1762 - 1764 of 1,770 Reviews

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