Chicagoland is one of the largest life sciences markets in the country, and the competition for experienced talent is growing with it.
- Illinois’ bioscience industry supports 102,368 jobs across 4,943 business establishments, up 12 percent since 2021, twice the growth rate of the state’s private sector.
- Medical device employment in Illinois grew 64.3 percent since 2021 to 19,320 jobs, and Illinois led the nation in medical device job growth.
- The Chicago metro ranks second in the nation for pharmaceutical employment.
- Chicagoland ranks among GEN’s Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters for 2026, sixth in both NIH funding and jobs.
- AbbVie plans two new API manufacturing facilities totaling $380 million at its North Chicago campus.
Growth like this means more companies competing for the same clinical, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing professionals. We recruit across Chicagoland, from the Loop and the Illinois Medical District to the North Shore and Lake County, home to several of the region’s largest pharma and device employers.
Sources: iBIO, Illinois Bioscience Report (TEConomy/BIO, Oct. 2026); TEConomy/BIO Illinois State Profile 2026; iBIO, Chicago Ranks Among Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters in 2026.


