In 2016, the healthcare sector in India was valued at around US$ 110 billion. Over the last decade, India’s healthcare industry has grown rapidly due to rising awareness, better infrastructure, and increased demand for quality treatment. By 2026, the sector is expected to remain on a strong growth track and is projected to move towards the US$ 600+ billion range (as per market growth trends). This expansion also creates huge employment opportunities for healthcare professionals, especially doctors.
Moreover, medicine is considered one of the most respected and rewarding career options in India. Along with social impact and job stability, it also offers strong earning potential, especially after specialization and experience.
This brings us to the question, “What is the average salary of MBBS doctor in India?” In this blog, we explain the salary range in 2026, how specialization affects income, how experience changes monthly salary, and what doctors earn in different cities.
MBBS Doctor Salary in India (2026)
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is the first professional degree for students who want to become doctors. After completing MBBS, graduates can practice in government hospitals, private hospitals, or start their own clinic. The MBBS doctor’s salary in India can range from a few thousand to several lakhs per month depending on the sector, city, skills, and workload.
- The remuneration for fresh MBBS graduates serving in government hospitals generally starts from around ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per month; with experience, it can increase to ₹75,000 or more.
- In private hospitals, the salary of a fresh MBBS doctor usually ranges from ₹40,000 to ₹60,000 per month. Reputed hospitals in metro cities may offer higher pay based on workload, department, and shift timings.
So overall, the doctor salary in India for someone who has recently completed MBBS is typically around ₹50,000 per month and approximately ₹6 lakh per year (depending on city and sector).
Doctor Salary in India Based on Specialization
The salary of doctors is strongly influenced by their specialization. High-demand and technically complex fields like cardiology, neurology, and radiology often pay more due to skill requirement, responsibility, and patient load. Salaries also increase significantly with experience and reputation.
Here’s a quick overview of doctor salary in India by specialization:
| 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: The salary range above is for informational purposes only. Actual earnings vary depending on location, expertise, years of experience, job role, and work setting.
Highest Salary-Paying Specializations
Here are some of the highest-paying medical specializations in India:
- Neurologist Income in India
Neurologists treat the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. It is one of the most specialized medical fields, requiring years of additional study and training beyond MBBS, which is why it generally offers higher pay.
- The entry salary of a neurologist often starts around ₹1 lakh per month.
- Neurologist salary in India can increase up to ₹3 lakh or more per month with experience and strong practice.
- Cardiologist Income in India
Cardiology is also among the most high-paying medical fields. Cardiologists diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel-related conditions, which makes their role extremely critical in healthcare.
- Fresh cardiologists generally earn around ₹0.8 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh per month.
- Cardiologist salary in India for experienced specialists (7-8 years) can range between ₹3 lakh to ₹4 lakh per month, depending on hospital and practice.
- Surgeon Salary in India
Surgeons, especially those in high-demand specialties such as cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics, are among the highest paid doctors due to complex procedures, responsibility, and emergency-based workload.
- General surgeons earn between ₹80,000 and ₹1.5 lakh per month.
- Heart surgeon salary in India or other specialized surgeons is often above ₹2 lakh per month and can be much higher with reputation.
- Gynecologist Income in India
Gynecologists treat women’s reproductive health and are in high demand across India. Their income depends on hospital role, private practice, and experience.
- Gynecologists salary in India at the start of their careers is generally between ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per month.
- Experienced gynecologists can earn ₹2 lakh to ₹4 lakh per month, depending on city and institution.
Salary of Doctors Based on Degrees
As discussed above, the doctor’s salary in India per month also depends on educational qualifications and degree level. Here’s a basic idea:
| 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 the income of other specialties rise with experience, skills, and practice. Here’s an approximate doctor salary breakdown 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 (2026)
The MBBS salary in India also depends on the city where the doctor is working. Here’s what some top Indian cities generally pay (based on overall salary trends):
| 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 mainly depends on specialization, experience, and location. Compared to many other professions, a doctor’s salary starts at a decent level and can grow strongly with time, especially for specialists in neurology, cardiology, surgery, radiology and other high-demand fields.
However, building a successful medical career requires dedication, long working hours, continuous learning, and years of education and training. Doctors also need to stay updated with medical advancements and new treatment methods.
In the end, medicine is more than just a profession. It is a respected and meaningful career that combines financial stability with the opportunity to make a lasting impact on society.
FAQs
In India, a new MBBS doctor in a government hospital typically earns around ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per month. In the private sector, the salary generally ranges from ₹40,000 to ₹70,000 per month depending on city, hospital, and duty hours.
MD doctors generally earn in the range of ₹80,000 to ₹2.5 lakhs per month. Income can be higher in metro cities, multi-specialty hospitals, or with private practice.
Yes, in top metro cities and high-demand niches such as neurology, cardiology, oncology and advanced surgery, experienced doctors can earn around ₹1 crore per year or more. Running a successful private clinic, hospital or multi-location practice can further increase earnings.
This level of income is rare, but highly experienced specialists and surgeons handling complex surgeries, premium consultations or multi-hospital practice can earn several lakhs to very high amounts monthly. Doctors who run successful hospitals or large medical businesses may also earn exceptionally high income.
Both CAs and doctors have strong earning potential. In general, top specialist doctors and surgeons can earn more, especially with private practice. However, CAs in senior corporate roles, consulting, or niche finance domains can also earn comparable high salaries.
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