Regulatory Affairs Associate Jobs in Illinois
Regulatory Affairs Associate jobs in Illinois concentrate in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and food and agriculture sectors, with demand steady at every level from entry-level coordinators through senior associates. Chicago and its northern suburbs, particularly the North Shore corridor around Abbott Park and Lake County, anchor most of the hiring, while companies like Abbott Laboratories, Baxter International, and Ingredion maintain large regulatory teams in the state. Medical device submissions, FDA drug approval documentation, and food labeling compliance are the most in-demand specializations across Illinois employers. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 39+ Regulatory Affairs Associate jobs
Expected pay for this position is $36.04 - $42.40/hour. Actual pay will be determined by experience, skills and internal equity. This is a Salaried position.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Regulatory Affairs Specialist serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for all accreditation, certification, and regulatory programs (e.g., TJC, IDPH, specialty certifications) and is accountable for providing feedback to operating units for continuous survey readiness and sustained compliance. This role leads mock surveys, tracers, and readiness assessments; prepares and submits regulatory violation responses; facilitates recovery and performance improvement efforts; and monitors corrective action plans for completion and effectiveness. In partnership with clinical and operational leaders, the Specialist proactively identifies regulatory risk, develops and communicates an annual risk assessment to prioritize high‑risk monitoring, and serves as a primary liaison during surveys and certifications. The role provides expert regulatory guidance and supports quality, safety, and compliance goals.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a clinical field
Experience: 2 years of practice in healthcare area of expertise
Other Skills/ Knowledge:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Solid computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft software.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to be detail oriented.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Expected pay for this position is $36.04 - $42.40/hour. Actual pay will be determined by experience, skills and internal equity. This is a Salaried position.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Regulatory Affairs Specialist serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for all accreditation, certification, and regulatory programs (e.g., TJC, IDPH, specialty certifications) and is accountable for providing feedback to operating units for continuous survey readiness and sustained compliance. This role leads mock surveys, tracers, and readiness assessments; prepares and submits regulatory violation responses; facilitates recovery and performance improvement efforts; and monitors corrective action plans for completion and effectiveness. In partnership with clinical and operational leaders, the Specialist proactively identifies regulatory risk, develops and communicates an annual risk assessment to prioritize high‑risk monitoring, and serves as a primary liaison during surveys and certifications. The role provides expert regulatory guidance and supports quality, safety, and compliance goals.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a clinical field
Experience: 2 years of practice in healthcare area of expertise
Other Skills/ Knowledge:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Solid computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft software.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to be detail oriented.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
See All 39 Regulatory Affairs Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsRegulatory Affairs Associate Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Regulatory Affairs Associate Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences10
- AbbVie6
- Mars3
- OSF HealthCare3
- Covista2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Food & Beverage
- Agriculture & Farming
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in regulatory affairs associate jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, chemistry, pharmacy, or a related field required
- Working knowledge of FDA regulations, CFR titles, and submission processes
- Experience preparing or supporting regulatory submissions such as 510(k) or NDA filings
- Familiarity with document management systems and electronic submission platforms
- Strong technical writing skills for regulatory documents, SOPs, and correspondence
- RAC credential from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society preferred by many Illinois employers
Regulatory Affairs Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a regulatory affairs associate in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers require a bachelor's degree in a life science, pharmacy, chemistry, or engineering discipline as the foundation for entry into regulatory affairs. Illinois does not issue a state license specific to regulatory affairs, but many hiring managers expect or strongly prefer the Regulatory Affairs Certification from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society. Candidates without direct regulatory experience often break in through quality assurance, clinical operations, or laboratory roles at Illinois pharmaceutical and medical device companies before transitioning into a dedicated regulatory affairs associate position.
How much do regulatory affairs associates make in Illinois?
Regulatory affairs associates in Illinois earn a median of about $80,550 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $50,040 for the lowest 10% to over $132,290 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire regulatory affairs associates in Illinois?
Employers hiring regulatory affairs associates in Illinois right now include Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences, AbbVie, and Mars, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of global pharmaceutical headquarters and medical device manufacturers in the Lake County and Chicago metro area means a high volume of openings come from large, established life sciences companies with dedicated regulatory affairs departments.
Which Illinois cities have the most regulatory affairs associate jobs?
Chicago, North Chicago, and Mettawa post the most regulatory affairs associate openings in Illinois. Chicago draws demand from corporate headquarters and contract research organizations located downtown and in the surrounding suburbs, while Lake County cities like Abbott Park and Deerfield reflect the heavy presence of pharmaceutical and medical device firms that have maintained large regulatory teams in that corridor for decades.
Are there remote regulatory affairs associate jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many science-based roles, because regulatory affairs work is documentation- and submission-focused rather than hands-on laboratory work. About 94% of regulatory affairs associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of the role. Submission coordination, labeling review, and regulatory writing tasks are the functions most commonly performed remotely, while new product development submissions often require on-site collaboration during early project phases.
How can I get hired as a regulatory affairs associate in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Illinois is moving laterally from a quality assurance, clinical data, or laboratory role inside a pharmaceutical or medical device company, since those functions share regulatory touchpoints and many Illinois employers promote internally. Large Illinois life sciences employers including Abbott Laboratories and Baxter International run rotational programs and post junior regulatory coordinator or regulatory affairs specialist I titles that are explicitly open to new graduates. Pursuing the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society's foundational certificate or completing an internship through the Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization's network strengthens a candidate's application when direct submission experience is limited.
Where can I find and apply to regulatory affairs associate jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to regulatory affairs associate jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and the Illinois location or remote setup you want, and apply directly to each one.
See All 39 Regulatory Affairs Associate Jobs in Illinois
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