In 2016, the healthcare sector in India was valued at US$ 110 billion. In 2025, it is expected to surpass US$ 638 billion. The exponential growth of this industry also means vast employment opportunities for healthcare professionals.
Moreover, medicine is also considered a highly respectable career path in India with lucrative financial rewards. For aspirants, this field offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on society by improving health and saving lives, while also providing a stable and fulfilling profession.
This brings us to the question “What is the average salary of MBBS doctor in India?” This blog delves into the details of how much money doctors make, how various specializations and work experience impact the monthly income, and more.
MBBS Doctor Salary in India
A Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is generally the first degree for students to become a doctor. An MBBS graduate can begin practicing in government or private hospitals or even have their own clinic or hospital. The MBBS doctor’s salary can be in the range of a few thousand to lakhs depending on the sector and area.
- The remuneration for fresh MBBS graduates serving in government hospitals is approximately between ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 a month; however, with experience, they can get ₹75,000 or more.
- In private hospitals, the salary of a fresh graduate can range from ₹40,000 to ₹60,000 a month. Reputed hospitals in metro cities can offer higher salaries.
So, the doctor salary in India – one who has just completed the MBBS program successfully is around ₹50,000 a month and around ₹6 lakh annually.
Doctor Salary in India Based on Specialization
The salary of doctors is significantly influenced by their specialization. Technically demanding specialty fields like neurology and cardiology pay more salaries due to their complexity and critical nature. The salaries also rise considerably with experience.
Here’s a quick overview of the salary of doctors from various specializations-
| Specialization | Average Salary (INR per year) |
| Neurology | ₹12 Lakhs – ₹24 Lakhs |
| Cardiology | ₹10 Lakhs – ₹84 Lakhs |
| Orthopedist | ₹ 8 Lakhs – ₹14 Lakhs |
| Radiology | ₹7.8 Lakhs – ₹12 Lakhs |
| Otolaryngology (ENT Specialist) | ₹12 Lakhs – ₹15 Lakhs |
| Gynecology | ₹5.4 Lakhs – ₹9.6 Lakhs |
| Pediatrics | ₹8.2 Lakhs – ₹16.6 Lakhs |
| Dermatology | ₹6.8 Lakhs – ₹12 Lakhs |
| Psychiatry | ₹10 Lakhs – ₹22.6 Lakhs |
| Dentist | ₹4 Lakhs – ₹5 Lakhs |
| Physiotherapy | ₹2.40 Lakhs – ₹12 Lakhs |
*Note that the salary range above is only for informational purposes. The actual salary may vary depending on location, expertise, years of experience, and job title.
Highest Salary-Paying Specializations
Here are some of the highest-paying medical specializations-
- Neurologist Income in India
Neurologists are doctors of the nervous system, which is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. Being a specialized field that requires extensive study and experience beyond the basic MBBS degree, it also fetches higher pay.
- The entry salary of a neurologist generally ranges around ₹1 lakh a month.
- Neurologist salary in India can increase up to ₹3 lakh and even more with experience.
- Cardiologist Income in India
Cardiology is also among the highest-paying specialties. Cardiologists diagnose and treat ailments of the cardiovascular system which is made up of heart and blood vessels.
- Fresh cardiologists generally make in the range of ₹0.8 to ₹1.5 lakhs a month.
- Cardiologist salary in India for someone with 7-8 years of experience can range between ₹3 to ₹4 lakhs a month.
- Surgeon Salary in India
Surgeons, especially those in high-demand fields such as cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics, are among the highest-paid professionals.
- General surgeons earn between ₹80,000 and ₹1.5 lakh a month.
- Heart surgeon salary in India or other specialized surgeons is generally over ₹2 lakhs a month.
- Gynecologist Income in India
Gynecologists are specialists who treat the reproductive health of women and are a highly sought-after type of doctor all over India. They are well compensated for their indispensable role in health care.
- Gynecologists salary in India at the start of their careers is between ₹75,000 to 1.5 lakh per month.
- Experienced Gynecologists can earn anything from ₹2 lakh to ₹4 lakh per month, according to the site and the institution.
Salary of Doctors Based on Degrees
As mentioned above, the doctor’s salary in India per month also varies based on their degrees. Take a look-
| Specialty | Salary Range (INR Lakhs per year) |
| Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) | ₹6 Lakhs – ₹10 Lakhs |
| Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) | ₹3 Lakhs – ₹7 Lakhs |
| Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) | ₹3.5 Lakhs – ₹6 Lakhs |
| Diplomate of National Board (DNB) | ₹8 Lakhs – ₹16 Lakhs |
| Doctor of Medicine/Master of Surgery (MD/MS) | ₹10 Lakhs – ₹30 Lakhs |
Experience-Wise Doctor Salary in India
MBBS doctor’s salary per month and that of other specialties increase considerably with experience. Here’s an approximate salary growth based on years of experience-
| Experience in Years | Average Annual Salary (INR) | Salary Range (INR) |
| 0-1 years | ₹7 Lakhs | ₹3 Lakhs – ₹10 Lakhs |
| 1-3 years | ₹8 Lakhs | ₹5 Lakhs – ₹12 Lakhs |
| 3-5 years | ₹9 Lakhs | ₹6 Lakhs – ₹14 Lakhs |
| 5-10 years | ₹11 Lakhs | ₹7.5 Lakhs – ₹16 Lakhs |
| 10-15 years | ₹14 Lakhs | ₹9 Lakhs – ₹20 Lakhs |
| 15+ years | ₹16 Lakhs | ₹10 Lakhs – ₹22 Lakhs |
Salary of Doctors in Top Cities
The MBBS salary in India also depends on the city you’re working on. Here’s what the top Indian cities generally pay their doctors-
| Top Cities | Average Salary (INR per year) |
| Hyderabad | Rs. 0.4 Lakhs to 10.0 Lakhs |
| Mumbai | Rs. 0.6 Lakhs to 12.0 Lakhs |
| New Delhi | Rs. 0.6 Lakhs to 12.0 Lakhs |
| Bangalore | Rs. 0.3 Lakhs to 9.8 Lakhs |
| Pune | Rs. 0.5 Lakhs to 12.0 Lakhs |
The Takeaway
The salary of MBBS doctors in India depends a great deal on their specialization, experience, and location. Compared to many other professions, the starting salary of a doctor is generally higher and grows exponentially with experience, especially in specializations like neurology, cardiology, and surgery.
But building a rewarding medical career also requires immense dedication, perseverance, and years of rigorous education and training. Aspiring medical professionals must be prepared for long hours, constant learning, and the ability to adapt to advancements in medical science.
In the end, a medical career is more than just a profession. It is a noble calling that combines personal growth with the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the world.
FAQs on Doctor Salary in India
In India, a new MBBS doctor, with no experience, joins a government hospital for a salary of about ₹30,000-50,000. In the private sector, the salary generally ranges from ₹40,000-70,000.
MD doctors generally earn in the range of ₹80,000 to ₹2.5 lakhs per month.
In top metro cities, experienced doctors from high-demand niches such as neurology, cardiology, and oncology, can make as much as ₹1 crore a year. Having your own clinic or hospital is another way for doctors to earn more.
Highly experienced specialists and surgeons who are often called to various hospitals across cities for complex surgeries and consultations can earn as much as ₹50 lakhs a month. Those running successful private practices in metro cities or running a business can also earn several lakhs a month.
Doctors and Chartered Accountants (CAs) both have high earning potential, but top specialists and surgeons often earn more than CAs, especially in private practice or with international expertise. However, CAs in senior corporate roles or with niche expertise can also earn comparable salaries.
