Regulatory Affairs Jobs in Illinois
Regulatory affairs jobs in Illinois are consistently active, concentrated in pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical devices, food and beverage, and agricultural chemicals, with openings at every level from entry-level associate to senior director. Chicago anchors the market, but Deerfield, Lake County, and the broader North Shore corridor are major hiring zones, where companies like Abbott Laboratories, Baxter International, and Kraft Heinz maintain large regulatory functions. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois include drug approval submissions, FDA compliance, and combination product regulation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 39+ Regulatory Affairs 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 Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Regulatory Affairs JobsRegulatory Affairs Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Regulatory Affairs 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 jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, chemistry, pharmacy, or a related scientific field
- Familiarity with FDA regulations covering drugs, devices, or food products
- Experience preparing and submitting regulatory dossiers or 510(k) applications
- Knowledge of RAC or similar professional certification preferred by most Illinois employers
- Proficiency with electronic submission systems such as eCTD or similar platforms
- Strong technical writing skills for regulatory documents, labels, and correspondence
Regulatory Affairs Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a regulatory affairs professional in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a state-issued license to work in regulatory affairs, so the path runs through education and professional credentials. Most Illinois employers expect at minimum a bachelor's degree in a life science, pharmacy, or engineering field. The Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society offers the RAC credential, which is widely recognized by Illinois pharmaceutical, device, and food companies and gives candidates a measurable edge when applying for roles without deep industry experience.
How much do regulatory affairses make in Illinois?
Regulatory affairses 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 professionals in Illinois?
Employers hiring regulatory affairs professionals 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 pharmaceutical headquarters and medical device manufacturers along the North Shore and in the Chicago suburbs keeps demand steady throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most regulatory affairs jobs?
Chicago, North Chicago, and Mettawa have the most regulatory affairs openings in Illinois. Chicago drives volume through its dense concentration of life sciences and food company headquarters, while suburban corridors like Deerfield and Lake County are home to major pharmaceutical and medical device campuses that generate a consistent share of the state's regulatory openings.
Are there remote regulatory affairs jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many science-based roles, because much of the work involves document review, submission preparation, and agency correspondence that can be done off-site. About 94% of regulatory affairs openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting real flexibility at many employers. Submission-focused and labeling roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while positions requiring on-site lab coordination or manufacturing oversight typically require in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a regulatory affairs professional in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a regulatory affairs associate or coordinator role at a mid-size Illinois pharmaceutical or device company, where responsibilities center on document management and agency correspondence rather than independent submissions. Candidates who hold a RAC credential or have completed an internship with an Illinois contract research organization have a concrete advantage. Adjacent roles in quality assurance, clinical documentation, or scientific writing at Illinois employers like Hospira or smaller North Shore biotech firms frequently transition into regulatory functions within the first year.
Where can I find and apply to regulatory affairs jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to regulatory affairs jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across pharmaceutical, medical device, food, and agricultural chemical employers. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 39 Regulatory Affairs Jobs in Illinois
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