Amid ongoing uncertainty and rapid changes within the biopharma and biotech industry—driven by evolving FDA requirements, economic pressures, and organizational restructuring—we conducted this survey to gain insights into how Regulatory Affairs professionals are feeling about their roles, career decisions, and the stability of the job market. During the week of September 21, 2025, we reached out to Regulatory Affairs professionals, HR leaders, and senior executives within the pharmaceutical, biotech, and diagnostic sectors. Here’s what these professionals and decision-makers are saying—and how their responses compare to last year’s findings.
We asked:
Are you happy in your current role?
The results showed that 58% of Regulatory Affairs professionals are happy in their current role, while 42% of respondents are not.
While the majority of Regulatory employees expressed satisfaction with their current roles, this represents a notable decline from September 2024, when 69% of respondents reported being happy in their role, and 71% for the same period in 2023. Although a majority still expressed satisfaction, this is a considerable drop from the past year. Some respondents described being content with manageable workloads but unsatisfied with the lack of growth opportunities:
“I’m content because my role is not demanding too much of my energy, but I’m not learning or growing, so my role isn’t fulfilling.”
Others highlighted instability tied to industry-wide changes:
“Satisfied, but the company is currently going through layoffs due to government funding cancellations of several drug development programs that directly affect the CRO business.”
For many, stress and workload were key themes:
“Significantly overworked and stressed. Poor work-life balance.”
Still others reflected transitional experiences in an uncertain market:
“In-between—starting independent consulting after a site-wide layoff and hoping for success, after receiving no interviews on ~20 job applications.”
These insights show that even among those reporting job satisfaction, concerns about stability, growth, and balance remain widespread.
Are you thinking of changing jobs before the end of 2025?
The results showed that 42% of respondents are considering changing jobs before the end of the year, while 58% are not.
Our data indicates a sharp increase in job-seeking intentions compared to 2024, when only 26% of respondents were considering a change. This 15-point rise suggests growing instability in employee retention within Regulatory Affairs. Several respondents shared that they were eagerly seeking new positions, some shared that they are currently unemployed, and others expressed, “The economy is quite unstable so I would rather stay where I am”.
How confident do you feel about the stability of the Regulatory Affairs job market over the next 12 months?
The results showed that 14% of respondents feel extremely confident, 45% somewhat confident, and 41% not at all confident.
Confidence in the stability of the Regulatory Affairs job market is mixed. While a slight majority (59%) retain some level of confidence, the sizable portion of respondents who expressed little to no confidence highlights ongoing uncertainty. Compared to previous years, these results reflect growing concerns about Regulatory headcount, budget cuts, and evolving FDA and global regulatory requirements. Many professionals perceive an increasingly competitive job market, with fewer secure opportunities on the horizon. This sentiment is reinforced by the fact that current job openings for Regulatory Affairs professionals are lower than they were at this time last year, further fueling uncertainty and competition among candidates.
In order to understand the hiring outlook for Regulatory Affairs professionals for the remainder of the year, we asked C-suite executives, HR executives and hiring managers the following:
What are your plans for hiring Regulatory Affairs professionals for the remainder of 2025?
The results showed that 33% of hiring authorities plan to slow Regulatory hiring, while 67% said they will hire at the same pace. Notably, no respondents indicated plans to increase hiring, which mirrors our 2024 report. A few executives added written responses, including “we outsource that function” and “no plans to hire immediately,” underscoring that some organizations are shifting away from in-house Regulatory hiring altogether.
While the balance has shifted somewhat toward stability this year, the absence of any plans to increase hiring highlights a stagnant outlook for Regulatory Affairs headcount. This aligns with broader market indicators, as current job postings for Regulatory professionals remain below 2024 levels, suggesting limited near-term growth in demand.
Given the current uncertainty in the biopharma industry (evolving FDA regulations, potential changes to H-1B visa costs, and broader economic pressures), do you anticipate these factors will impact your plans for hiring Regulatory Affairs professionals in the coming year?
The results showed that 100% of executives said these factors will not impact their plans.
This contrasts with the heightened uncertainty voiced by Regulatory Affairs candidates themselves. While many professionals expressed concern about job stability and market competitiveness, hiring authorities appear largely insulated from these pressures—maintaining that external factors such as regulatory shifts, immigration policy, and economic volatility will not change their hiring strategies in 2025.
The finding that 42% of respondents are considering changing jobs before the end of 2025 underscores a potential wave of turnover that could significantly affect organizations. Coupled with declining job satisfaction and tempered confidence in the market, these findings emphasize the importance of proactively addressing retention and engagement strategies.
To retain and attract top Regulatory talent, companies in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors should prioritize employee engagement, compensation competitiveness, and opportunities for professional development. Clear communication, recognition of employee contributions, and creating pathways for career growth will also be critical.
The biopharma industry is navigating a hiring landscape marked by caution, competition, and selectivity. While many companies continue to operate with lean teams and maintain hiring freezes, Regulatory Affairs remains a critical area where the right talent cannot be compromised. With evolving FDA and global requirements, increasing clinical trial complexity, and the growing influence of innovation-driven therapies, the demand for highly specialized Regulatory professionals persists. Against longer search timelines and fierce competition, organizations must focus on precision in recruitment—prioritizing candidates whose expertise and adaptability align directly with both current challenges and future growth. In this climate, securing the right strategic hire in Regulatory Affairs is not just a staffing decision, but a competitive advantage that positions companies to navigate regulatory shifts, accelerate approvals, and prepare for the market recovery anticipated in 2026.
Hiring and retaining excellent Regulatory talent is crucial to the success of any biotech or pharmaceutical organization. Dennis Partners knows how to identify and attract world-class Regulatory professionals. We go beyond the resume to uncover candidate motivations and aspirations, ensuring the ideal fit and long-term success for both our clients and candidates.
Thank you for sharing these insights. I am aligned with the cautions and uncertainty felt by many.