What Is the Salary of an MBBS Doctor in India? Starting Pay, Experience, and Where You Earn Most

When you’re studying for NEET, the dream isn’t just to pass-it’s to become a doctor. But behind that dream is a very real question: How much will I actually earn? The answer isn’t simple. A fresh MBBS graduate in a government hospital in Bihar earns far less than a senior doctor in a private hospital in Bangalore. And that’s just the start.

Starting Salary: What a Fresh MBBS Graduate Makes

Right after you finish your MBBS and complete your one-year rotating internship, you’re eligible to work as a junior doctor. In government hospitals, the starting salary usually falls between ₹30,000 and ₹45,000 per month. This includes basic pay, allowances, and sometimes accommodation.

But here’s the catch: if you’re working under the Central Government (like AIIMS, PGIMER, or other central institutes), you’ll earn more-around ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 per month under the 7th Pay Commission. That’s because these are classified as Group A gazetted posts. In states like Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu, the pay is closer to ₹40,000-₹50,000. In smaller states like Jharkhand or Uttar Pradesh, it can dip to ₹30,000-₹38,000.

Private hospitals? They rarely pay freshers more than ₹25,000-₹35,000. Some small clinics or nursing homes pay even less-₹15,000-₹20,000. But here’s what most people don’t tell you: private jobs often come with overtime. A junior doctor working 12-hour shifts, 6 days a week, can easily earn ₹40,000-₹50,000 if they take on extra duties.

Government vs Private: The Big Divide

The government route is stable. You get fixed pay, paid holidays, medical benefits, pension, and job security. You won’t get rich, but you won’t go broke either. Most government doctors start in district hospitals, then move to medical colleges after a few years.

Private hospitals are the opposite. Pay is higher, but so is pressure. You’ll work longer hours, face more patient load, and have no guaranteed leave. But if you’re good, you can climb fast. A senior resident in a corporate hospital like Apollo or Fortis can earn ₹80,000-₹1,20,000 per month after 3-5 years of experience.

There’s also a third option: government jobs with private side gigs. Many doctors in small towns work in government hospitals during the day and run evening clinics or teleconsultations. It’s common for them to double their income this way.

Specialization Changes Everything

MBBS is just the beginning. To earn more, you need to specialize. That means doing an MD or MS-another 3 years of study and exams. But the payoff is huge.

Here’s what specialists make after 5-7 years of experience:

• General Physician: ₹70,000-₹1,20,000 in private hospitals
• Cardiologist: ₹1,50,000-₹3,00,000
• Neurosurgeon: ₹2,00,000-₹5,00,000
• Dermatologist: ₹1,00,000-₹2,00,000
• Orthopedic Surgeon: ₹1,80,000-₹4,00,000

These numbers are for doctors running their own clinics or working in top-tier private hospitals. In government setups, specialists earn less-₹1,00,000-₹1,80,000-but with better benefits and less stress.

And don’t forget: some doctors go abroad after MBBS. The US, UK, Australia, and Gulf countries pay 5-10 times more. But that means clearing USMLE, PLAB, or AMC exams-another 1-2 years of effort.

Where Do Doctors Earn the Most in India?

Location matters more than you think. A doctor in Delhi or Mumbai can earn 40% more than someone in Patna or Bhopal-even with the same experience.

Here’s a rough ranking by city:

1. Bangalore: Highest demand for specialists. Corporate hospitals pay well. Average senior doctor salary: ₹1,80,000-₹3,50,000
2. Mumbai: High patient volume. Private clinics thrive. Specialists earn ₹1,50,000-₹3,00,000
3. Delhi-NCR: Government hospitals pay well. Private sector is competitive. ₹1,40,000-₹2,80,000
4. Hyderabad: Growing medical hub. Good pay in both public and private. ₹1,20,000-₹2,50,000
5. Chennai: Strong government system. Private pay is moderate. ₹1,00,000-₹2,00,000
6. Kolkata: Lower cost of living. Salaries are lower but manageable. ₹80,000-₹1,60,000
7. Smaller cities (Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad): ₹70,000-₹1,30,000

Doctors in tier-2 and tier-3 cities often open their own clinics after 5-7 years. With good reputation, a single specialist clinic can generate ₹5-10 lakhs per month in revenue. After expenses, net profit is ₹2-5 lakhs monthly.

How Long Until You Break Even?

MBBS takes 5.5 years. Then comes the internship. If you do MD, that’s another 3 years. So by the time you’re ready to earn big, you’re 29-31 years old. And you’ve spent ₹10-50 lakhs on education-depending on whether you studied in a government or private college.

Here’s the math:

• Government college MBBS: ₹1-2 lakhs total
• Private college MBBS: ₹10-50 lakhs
• MD/MS in government: ₹50,000-₹2 lakhs
• MD/MS in private: ₹15-40 lakhs

If you studied in a private college and spent ₹40 lakhs, you’ll need at least 5-7 years of solid earnings to recover your investment. But once you do, your income grows fast. A cardiologist with a clinic in a metro city can earn ₹3-5 crores annually after 10 years.

What Most Doctors Wish They Knew Before Starting

Here’s what seasoned doctors say they wish they’d known before NEET:

• Money doesn’t come fast. The first 5 years are about learning, not earning.
• Work-life balance is rare. Emergency shifts, night calls, and weekend duties are normal.
• Reputation matters more than salary. A well-known doctor in a small town earns more than an unknown one in a big city.
• Government jobs are safer but slower. Private jobs are risky but faster to grow.
• Telemedicine is changing everything. Many doctors now earn extra through online consultations.
• Don’t wait for the perfect job. Start working, even if it’s low pay. Experience beats waiting.

Final Reality Check

Yes, doctors in India earn more than most other professions. But it’s not a get-rich-quick path. It’s a long game. The salary you see on paper is only part of the story. The real value is in the impact you make-and the freedom you earn later.

If you’re in it for the money, you’ll burn out. If you’re in it for the purpose, the money follows.