Lab Assistant Jobs in Illinois

Lab assistant jobs in Illinois concentrate in clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research, and academic science, with demand spread from entry-level technicians to senior research support roles across one of the country's most active life sciences markets. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford anchor most of the hiring, where established employers like Abbott Laboratories, Baxter International, and the University of Chicago Medicine maintain large laboratory operations. The most consistent openings are in clinical chemistry, quality control, and specimen processing. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles50
Top employerNorthwestern Medicine
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring29
Work type100% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 50+ Lab Assistant jobs

SAINT MARY OF NAZARETH HOSPITAL
Lab Assistant
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SAINT MARY OF NAZARETH HOSPITAL
Added 1d ago
Lab Assistant
SAINT MARY OF NAZARETH HOSPITAL
Chicago, Illinois
Data Analytics
Data Science
$18.25 - $26.43/hr
BLS Certification

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Northwestern Medicine
Clinical Lab Assistant II
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Northwestern Medicine
Added 2d ago
Clinical Lab Assistant II
Northwestern Medicine
Chicago, Illinois
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Laboratory Science
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$20.80 - $28.08/hr
On-Site
High School

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Northwestern Medicine
Clinical Lab Assistant II-Central Specimen Receiving, Full-time Night Shift
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Northwestern Medicine
Added 2d ago
Clinical Lab Assistant II-Central Specimen Receiving, Full-time Night Shift
Northwestern Medicine
Chicago, Illinois
Business Analysis
Data Analytics
Data Science
$20.8 - $28.08/hr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Saint Francis Hospital
Lab Assistant - Specialty Lab
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Saint Francis Hospital
Added 2d ago
Lab Assistant - Specialty Lab
Saint Francis Hospital
Evanston, Illinois
Data Analytics
Data Science
$22 - $29.61/hr
BLS Certification

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Harper College
Lab Assistant - Hospitality Management
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Harper College
Added 3d ago
Lab Assistant - Hospitality Management
Harper College
Palatine, Illinois
Administrative & Office Support
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$25.46 - $31.57/hr
Culinary Arts Certificate
1,001-5,000

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See All 50 Lab Assistant Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Lab Assistant Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
15 jobs
Geneva
2 jobs
Skokie
2 jobs
Maywood
2 jobs
Palatine
2 jobs
Olympia Fields
2 jobs
Elgin
1 job
Hamel
1 job
Aurora
1 job

Lab Assistant Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Northwestern Medicine
Northwestern Medicine7 open roles
Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center6 open roles
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Systems
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Systems3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Education

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in lab assistant jobs across Illinois.

  • Associate degree or higher in a life science, chemistry, or related field preferred
  • Phlebotomy certification recognized in Illinois for clinical lab roles is a common advantage
  • Experience operating standard laboratory equipment such as centrifuges and analyzers
  • Familiarity with laboratory information systems and electronic data entry practices
  • Ability to follow strict safety and quality control protocols in a regulated environment
  • Strong attention to detail and accurate documentation skills for sample and test records

Lab Assistant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a lab assistant in Illinois?

Most lab assistant positions in Illinois require at minimum a high school diploma, though employers in clinical and research settings strongly prefer an associate or bachelor's degree in a life science or medical laboratory science field. Clinical lab roles often call for phlebotomy certification, which Illinois does not mandate by law but which most hospital systems require internally. Illinois does not have a state-specific lab assistant license, so preparation focuses on education, hands-on training, and earning nationally recognized credentials such as the ASCP phlebotomy certification.

Which companies hire lab assistants in Illinois?

Employers hiring lab assistants in Illinois right now include Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Systems, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's deep concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospital networks, and research universities means that lab assistant demand remains consistent year-round across both the Chicago metro and downstate hubs like Peoria and Rockford.

Which Illinois cities have the most lab assistant jobs?

Chicago, Illinois, and Geneva lead Illinois for lab assistant openings. Chicago dominates because it is home to major health systems, pharmaceutical headquarters like Abbott and Baxter, and research universities, while Peoria's OSF HealthCare and UnityPoint Health anchors a strong clinical lab market, and Rockford's regional hospital network generates steady entry-level and mid-level demand.

Are there remote lab assistant jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Lab assistant work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring direct specimen handling, equipment operation, and on-site quality control, so most roles are fully in-person. About 0% of lab assistant openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically involve data entry, laboratory information system support, or administrative coordination rather than bench work.

How can I get hired as a lab assistant in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a part-time or student lab aide position at an Illinois community college, hospital, or university research department while completing coursework. Large Illinois health systems such as Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Health run new-graduate and volunteer lab programs that give candidates verifiable hands-on hours. Moving laterally from roles like medical assistant, pharmacy technician, or sterile processing technician is also common, as those positions share specimen-handling and documentation skills. Earning a nationally recognized phlebotomy certification from ASCP gives candidates a measurable edge when competing for first jobs.

Where can I find and apply to lab assistant jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to lab assistant jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated in real time. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and location, and apply directly to the positions that fit.

See All 50 Lab Assistant Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Lab Assistant Jobs