US Medical Salary: What Doctors Earn in America vs India

When people talk about US medical salary, the average annual income earned by physicians and surgeons in the United States. Also known as physician income, it reflects not just training length and specialization, but also healthcare system structure, malpractice costs, and patient volume. A family doctor in the US makes roughly $250,000 a year. Surgeons? Often over $400,000. Specialists like neurosurgeons or cardiologists can hit $600,000 or more. That’s not just more than India—it’s 10 to 20 times higher than what most doctors earn here, even after years of training.

Why the gap? It’s not just about money. In the US, medical school costs $200,000–$300,000 on average, and graduates spend 7–10 years in training after college. In India, MBBS costs far less, but salaries stay low because healthcare is mostly public, government-controlled, and underfunded. A NEET topper who lands a government hospital job in Delhi might earn ₹1.2 lakh a month. The same person, if they move to the US and pass USMLE, can earn over $10,000 a month—before taxes. That’s why so many Indian doctors aim for the US after NEET. It’s not just ambition—it’s survival.

The real question isn’t just how much doctors make in America. It’s who benefits, and at what cost. US doctors work longer hours, face higher stress, and deal with insurance battles daily. In India, pay is low, but workload is heavier, and respect is often tied to institutional hierarchy. Medical careers, the path from student to licensed practitioner. Also known as doctor training, it looks completely different in the US and India, from exam systems to work-life balance. The US system rewards specialization and efficiency. India rewards endurance and institutional loyalty. Neither is better—just different. And if you’re a NEET aspirant wondering if going abroad is worth it, the numbers don’t lie. But the human cost? That’s something no salary can fully capture.

Below, you’ll find real posts that break down what doctors actually earn, how coaching impacts career paths, and what it takes to move from Indian medical colleges to American hospitals. No fluff. Just facts, comparisons, and straight talk about where your skills could take you.