Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Regulatory affairs specialist jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, concentrated in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food and beverage, and agrochemicals across a wide seniority range from entry-level associate to senior director. Chicago, the North Shore suburbs, and Peoria are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by longtime employers like Abbott Laboratories, Baxter International, and Archer Daniels Midland. The most in-demand specializations are FDA submissions, quality management systems, and drug and device labeling compliance. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 39+ Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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 Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsRegulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist 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 specialist jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, chemistry, engineering, or a related technical field required
- Experience with FDA regulatory submissions including 510(k), PMA, or NDA filings strongly preferred
- Familiarity with CFR Title 21, ISO 13485, and ICH guidelines for applicable product categories
- Proficiency with regulatory information management systems such as Veeva Vault or similar platforms
- Strong technical writing skills for preparing dossiers, SOPs, and regulatory correspondence
- RAC credential from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society viewed favorably by Illinois employers
Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a regulatory affairs specialist in Illinois?
Start with a bachelor's degree in a life science, pharmacy, chemistry, or engineering discipline, which is the baseline Illinois employers expect. Illinois does not issue a state license specific to regulatory affairs, so the path to employment runs through relevant industry experience and credentials. The Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society offers the RAC certification, which Illinois pharmaceutical and medical device employers treat as a strong differentiator. Entry candidates typically build experience through quality assurance, clinical operations, or laboratory roles before moving into regulatory work.
How much do regulatory affairs specialists make in Illinois?
Regulatory affairs specialists 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 specialists in Illinois?
Illinois regulatory affairs specialist roles are posted by Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences, AbbVie, and Mars and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of pharmaceutical, medical device, and food ingredient manufacturers along the I-294 corridor and in the greater Chicago metro makes it one of the most consistent states for regulatory affairs hiring nationwide.
Which Illinois cities have the most regulatory affairs specialist jobs?
Chicago, North Chicago, and Mettawa lead Illinois for regulatory affairs specialist openings. Chicago drives volume through its large pharmaceutical and biotech company presence and corporate headquarters, while the North Shore suburbs like Lake County and Deerfield reflect the campuses of major device and drug manufacturers, and Peoria draws openings from agricultural chemical and food processing operations anchored in central Illinois.
Are there remote regulatory affairs specialist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. Regulatory affairs work is largely desk-based, involving document preparation, agency correspondence, and database submissions that translate well to remote arrangements. About 94% of regulatory affairs specialist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, making it one of the more flexible roles in the life sciences sector. Submission-focused and labeling roles tend to be the most remote-eligible, while positions requiring lab or manufacturing interaction are more likely to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a regulatory affairs specialist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving laterally from a quality assurance, clinical research associate, or laboratory technician role, where you already work with regulated processes and documentation. Illinois pharmaceutical and device employers including Abbott, Baxter, and Horizon Therapeutics run associate regulatory affairs programs and rotational development tracks that accept candidates with limited direct regulatory experience. Pursuing the RAC-Associate designation through the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society and building a portfolio of SOPs or submission summaries through coursework or volunteer work substantially strengthens an Illinois application at the entry level.
Where can I find and apply to regulatory affairs specialist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to regulatory affairs specialist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and target industry, and apply directly to whichever positions fit.
See All 39 Regulatory Affairs Specialist Jobs in Illinois
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