MBBS Doctor Salary in USA: What You Really Earn After NEET

When you clear NEET and become an MBBS doctor, a medical graduate qualified to practice medicine after completing a five-and-a-half-year program in India. Also known as a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, it’s the first step toward a career that can take you from a small town clinic in India to a hospital in New York or Texas. But here’s the real question: how much do these doctors actually make in the USA?

Let’s cut through the noise. An MBBS doctor, a medical graduate qualified to practice medicine after completing a five-and-a-half-year program in India. Also known as a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, it’s the first step toward a career that can take you from a small town clinic in India to a hospital in New York or Texas. But here’s the real question: how much do these doctors actually make in the USA?

Let’s cut through the noise. An Indian doctor working in the USA, a medical professional who completed MBBS in India and is now licensed to practice in the United States. Also known as a foreign medical graduate, they don’t start at the top. First, they must pass USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 — a process that takes 1–2 years. Then comes residency, where they earn between $60,000 and $70,000 a year. No, that’s not a typo. You’re working 80-hour weeks for less than many Indian engineering graduates make in private firms. But here’s the twist: after residency, your salary jumps. A specialist doctor in the USA, a physician who has completed additional training in a medical specialty like surgery, cardiology, or radiology. Also known as a consultant, they often earn between $250,000 and $450,000 annually. Some, like neurosurgeons or anesthesiologists, clear $500,000.

Why do so many Indian MBBS graduates choose this path? It’s not just the money. It’s stability. In the USA, there’s no waiting for government hospital postings. No political interference. No unpredictable pay delays. You get paid on time, you get benefits, and you get respect. Plus, the path is clear: pass the exams, complete residency, get licensed. No backdoor connections needed.

But it’s not easy. You’ll be away from family for years. You’ll study while others are partying. You’ll take exams that test not just your knowledge, but your endurance. And even after all that, you’re still not a full doctor until you finish residency — which can take 3 to 7 years depending on your specialty.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories, real numbers, and real advice from Indian doctors who made this jump. You’ll learn how to plan your USMLE journey, what specialties pay the most, how to handle the visa process, and why some doctors regret leaving — while others say it was the best decision of their lives. This isn’t a dream. It’s a path. And if you’re serious about it, you need to know exactly what you’re signing up for.