How to hire a regulatory specialist

How to hire a regulatory specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step regulatory specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a regulatory specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new regulatory specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a regulatory specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The regulatory specialist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A regulatory specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, regulatory specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents regulatory specialist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Regulatory Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Regulatory Specialist		$23-48
   Compliance Officer	A compliance officer is responsible for monitoring company operations, ensuring that all the processes and members are adhering to the regulatory and procedural policies set by the company. Compliance officers' duties also include proposing compliance programs, reviewing and updating existing company policies with management approval, taking immediate actions for policy violations, and mitigating risks... Show more	$20-46
   Compliance Analyst	A compliance analyst is in charge of ensuring that every operation and aspect in a company or facility adheres to the laws and regulations. They are also responsible for conducting regular inspections and assessments, producing reports and presentations, disseminating necessary information and reminders, researching existing policies and laws related to the industry, and remaining updated with new regulations... Show more	$18-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • FDA
   • Regulatory Compliance
   • Regulatory Agencies
   • Regulatory Submissions
   • Customer Service
   • Clinical Trials
   • Safety Reports
   • Medical Devices
   • Informed Consent
   • EU
   • Management System
   • GCP
   • Federal Regulations
   • Consent Forms

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Utilize the``SharePoint"system to manage the document change control process and maintain configuration control.
   • Manage and submit regulatory permit and notification applications to USDA to import, move and release regulate plant materials.
   • Assess study results for adherence to 40 CFR EPA regulatory requirements.
   • Stay abreast of developments in GCP and federal regulations regarding clinical research.
   • Assist with QC and QA of various study relate regulatory documents and reports.
   • Assist with training and mentoring of junior regulatory specialists and assist with departmental QC and QA activities.

   More regulatory specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your regulatory specialist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A regulatory specialist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, regulatory specialists' average salary in hawaii is 46% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level regulatory specialists earn 51% less than senior-level regulatory specialists.
   • Certifications. A regulatory specialist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a regulatory specialist's salary.

   Average regulatory specialist salary

   $70,575yearly

   $33.93 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level regulatory specialist salary

   $49,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

   Average regulatory specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$94,388	$45
   2	Minnesota	$87,448	$42
   3	Massachusetts	$87,272	$42
   4	New Jersey	$82,848	$40
   5	District of Columbia	$82,822	$40
   6	Virginia	$74,992	$36
   7	New York	$74,754	$36
   8	Illinois	$74,736	$36
   9	Texas	$73,065	$35
   10	Pennsylvania	$72,653	$35
   11	Missouri	$71,748	$34
   12	Maryland	$67,905	$33
   13	Iowa	$64,112	$31
   14	Kansas	$64,059	$31
   15	North Carolina	$60,970	$29
   16	Ohio	$60,210	$29
   17	Wisconsin	$59,144	$28
   18	Colorado	$58,886	$28
   19	Florida	$53,631	$26

   Average regulatory specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Cargill	$100,078	$48.11
   2	Office of the Comptroller of the Currency	$99,930	$48.04
   3	ConocoPhillips	$97,778	$47.01
   4	Bayer	$96,583	$46.43
   5	Novo Nordisk	$96,225	$46.26
   6	Varian Medical Systems	$94,433	$45.40
   7	Orange County Sanitation District	$94,031	$45.21
   8	Amazon	$93,931	$45.16	7
   9	Abbott	$93,133	$44.78	13
   10	Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.	$90,158	$43.35
   11	Ecolab	$89,840	$43.19
   12	Upsher-Smith Laboratories	$89,481	$43.02
   13	Mayo Clinic	$89,400	$42.98	6
   14	Smith & Nephew	$88,132	$42.37	1
   15	The Clorox Company	$87,920	$42.27	2
   16	Ferrara Candy	$87,064	$41.86
   17	BNY Mellon	$87,046	$41.85	3
   18	American Express	$85,985	$41.34
   19	Ingredion	$85,854	$41.28
   20	Abt Associates	$85,600	$41.15

4. Writing a regulatory specialist job description

   A good regulatory specialist job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a regulatory specialist job description:

   Regulatory specialist job description example

   Collaborates with multiple corporate functions (R&D, Legal, Marketing, Artwork Department, Safety, Project Management, etc.) to ensure on time delivery of product initiatives.
   Provide Regulatory guidance, and support, including but not limited to Regulatory approval of new prototypes, product copy and artwork Give support to the Regulatory in maintaining data, such as;
   Raw material composition and impurities Formulas from third party manufacturers Safety data sheets Ensure Regulatory compliance of raw materials and formulations in various countries Work with safety data sheet (SDS) creation software to create new and update existing SDS Perform product registration in WERCs Define and recommend work process improvements to gain efficiencies
   
   Required Knowledge and Skills:
   
   BS in a scientific discipline (Pharmaceuticals, Biological Sciences, etc) Regulatory experience in the cosmetic industry is a plus. Working knowledge of SDS preparation and WERCs registration IT Skills (Microsoft Office, SAP, etc.) Analytical skills and understanding and appreciation technical scientific information Strong written and oral communication skills are required. Strong interpersonal skills are important for working in fast-paced and matrix driven environment
   
   #LI-KH1
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find regulatory specialists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your regulatory specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit regulatory specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit regulatory specialists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new regulatory specialist

   Once you've decided on a perfect regulatory specialist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a regulatory specialist?