MBBS Doctor Salary India: What They Earn and How It Really Works

When you think of an MBBS doctor, a medical professional qualified to practice medicine in India after completing their undergraduate degree. Also known as a physician, it's one of the most respected—and often misunderstood—careers in the country. Many assume all MBBS doctors earn lakhs right out of college, but the truth is far more varied. The salary of an MBBS doctor in India depends heavily on where they work, how experienced they are, and whether they’re in the public or private sector.

Take a government doctor, a medical officer employed by state or central health departments, often through NEET-based recruitment. Freshers in government hospitals start around ₹30,000 to ₹45,000 per month. With experience, that can climb to ₹80,000–₹1,20,000, especially in senior roles like Chief Medical Officer. These jobs come with housing, medical benefits, and job security—no patient load anxiety, no marketing pressure. But they also mean long shifts, bureaucratic delays, and sometimes under-resourced clinics.

On the flip side, private sector doctors, those working in hospitals, clinics, or running their own practices, have a wilder income curve. A new doctor in a private hospital might earn ₹20,000–₹35,000, but those who build a reputation can pull in ₹2–5 lakhs a month. Surgeons, dermatologists, and orthopedists in metro cities often earn the most. But here’s the catch: private work means paying rent for clinic space, buying equipment, hiring staff, and dealing with insurance hassles. One bad month can wipe out your earnings.

And let’s not forget the NEET exam, the gateway to every MBBS seat in India, which determines where you study and, eventually, where you work. Your rank affects your college, which affects your network, which affects your first job. Top colleges like AIIMS or KGMC open doors to better postings, higher pay, and faster promotions. Meanwhile, graduates from lesser-known colleges often start in rural postings or low-paying private roles.

What most people don’t talk about? The years after MBBS. You don’t start earning well until you finish your internship and pass the licensing exam. Many spend 1–3 years doing housemanship, working for free or next to nothing, just to get experience. Others take up private tutoring, part-time shifts, or even migrate abroad for better pay—something over 20% of Indian doctors eventually do.

If you’re thinking of becoming a doctor, know this: the salary isn’t the same for everyone. It’s not just about the degree—it’s about where you land, how hard you work, and how smart you are about building your career. Some doctors make ₹50,000 a month and are happy. Others make ₹5 lakhs and still feel stressed. The real question isn’t how much you’ll earn—it’s what kind of life you want to build while earning it.

Below, you’ll find real insights from people who’ve been through it—what they earned, where they struggled, and how they made it work. No fluff. Just what actually matters.