Lab Associate Jobs in Illinois

Lab Associate jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, Rockford, and the Quad Cities, where major employers like Abbott Laboratories, Advocate Health, and Argonne National Laboratory maintain steady demand across clinical, research, and quality-control settings. Openings range from entry-level bench positions to experienced roles in molecular diagnostics, environmental testing, and pharmaceutical quality assurance. Illinois is among the most active lab hiring markets in the Midwest, drawing candidates at every level of training and specialization. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles11
Top employerUChicago Medicine
Top cityHarvey, IL
Cities hiring7
Work type100% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 11+ Lab Associate jobs

UChicago Medicine
Clinical Lab Associate 2, Lab Service Center - Full-Time, Day Shift
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UChicago Medicine
Added 5d ago
Clinical Lab Associate 2, Lab Service Center - Full-Time, Day Shift
UChicago Medicine
Harvey, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
CPR Certification
1,001-5,000

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UChicago Medicine
Clinical Lab Associate 2, Lab Service Center - Full-Time, Night Shift
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UChicago Medicine
Added 5d ago
Clinical Lab Associate 2, Lab Service Center - Full-Time, Night Shift
UChicago Medicine
Harvey, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
CPR Certification
1,001-5,000

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UChicago Medicine
Clinical Lab Associate 1, Laboratory Service Center - Part-Time, Day Shift
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UChicago Medicine
Added 5d ago
Clinical Lab Associate 1, Laboratory Service Center - Part-Time, Day Shift
UChicago Medicine
Harvey, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
CPR Certification
1,001-5,000

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BJC HealthCare
Lab Associate I
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BJC HealthCare
Added 5d ago
Lab Associate I
BJC HealthCare
Alton, Illinois
Customer Service
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
$17.5 - $23.88/hr
BLS Certification
10,000+

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Quest Diagnostics
Lab Associate I
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Quest Diagnostics
Added 2w ago
Lab Associate I
Quest Diagnostics
Schaumburg, Illinois
Account Management
Customer Service
Sales
$18.39 - $27.58/hr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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See All 11 Lab Associate Jobs in Illinois

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

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Lab Associate Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Harvey
4 jobs
Elk Grove Village
2 jobs
Alton
1 job
River
1 job
Chicago
1 job
Wood Dale
1 job
Schaumburg
1 job

Lab Associate Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

UChicago Medicine
UChicago Medicine4 open roles
Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics2 open roles
Innoved Institute
Innoved Institute2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What Illinois Employers Look For

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

  • Associate or bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, biology, or chemistry
  • Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) through ASCP or AMT
  • Familiarity with laboratory information systems and standard specimen processing procedures
  • Experience with quality control protocols and regulatory compliance under CLIA standards
  • Ability to follow established safety procedures including proper PPE use and hazardous material handling
  • Strong attention to detail and accurate data entry skills for specimen tracking and result documentation

Lab Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a lab associate in Illinois?

Most lab associate roles in Illinois require at least an associate degree in medical laboratory technology, clinical laboratory science, or a related science field. Illinois does not issue a separate state lab license, but most employers require national certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology or American Medical Technologists before or shortly after hire. Community colleges across the Chicago metro and downstate Illinois offer accredited MLT programs that include clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals.

Which companies hire lab associates in Illinois?

Illinois lab associate roles are posted by UChicago Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, and Innoved Institute and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of hospital systems, biotech firms, and federal research facilities means consistent openings appear across both the Chicago metro and downstate research corridors.

Which Illinois cities have the most lab associate jobs?

Harvey, Elk Grove Village, and Alton have the most lab associate openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because of its large academic medical centers, commercial diagnostic labs, and pharmaceutical headquarters, while Rockford and other secondary metros reflect the regional hospital networks and manufacturing quality-control labs that anchor hiring outside the city.

Are there remote lab associate jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Lab associate work is largely hands-on, requiring physical specimen handling, instrument operation, and on-site quality checks that can't be performed remotely. About 0% of lab associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to be in data review, lab informatics, or administrative coordination roles rather than bench work.

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

The most realistic entry path is a lab assistant or specimen processor position at a Chicago-area hospital or regional reference lab, which typically requires only a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Large Illinois health systems such as Advocate Health and Northwestern Medicine run new-grad and transition programs that move candidates into full lab associate roles after a structured training period. Pursuing MLT certification through an Illinois community college program, even part-time, gives candidates a clear edge over those without formal credentials.

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

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

See All 11 Lab Associate Jobs in Illinois

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

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