MBBS Doctor Salary in USA: What You Really Earn and How It Compares

When you hear MBBS doctor salary in USA, the annual income earned by physicians who completed their basic medical degree in India and now practice in the United States. Also known as Indian doctor salary in America, it’s not just about the number—it’s about the path, the paperwork, and the patience it takes to get there. Many assume an MBBS graduate from India walks straight into a six-figure job in the U.S. But the truth? You’re not starting at the top. You begin as a resident, often working 80-hour weeks, earning between $60,000 and $70,000 a year. That’s not bad—but it’s not the $300,000+ figures you see in headlines.

The real jump comes after residency, when you finish your specialty training, the additional years of focused medical education after MBBS, like surgery, cardiology, or neurology, required to become a licensed specialist in the U.S.. A family doctor with a few years of experience might make $220,000. A neurosurgeon? That can hit $600,000 or more. But here’s the catch: those numbers only apply after passing the USMLE exams, the three-part licensing test series that all foreign medical graduates must pass to practice medicine in the United States. Also known as United States Medical Licensing Examination, this isn’t optional—it’s the gatekeeper. And it’s hard. Many Indian MBBS graduates spend over a year studying just to pass Step 1. You also need a visa, a residency match, and sometimes years of clinical experience in the U.S. before you can even apply for a permanent job.

Compare that to India, where an MBBS doctor might start at ₹60,000–₹1,00,000 a month in a government hospital. In the U.S., your pay isn’t tied to your MBBS degree—it’s tied to your U.S. credentials. The salary isn’t a reward for your Indian education. It’s a reward for jumping through American hoops. That’s why some doctors choose to stay in India and build private practices. Others take the long road to the U.S. for better pay, research, or lifestyle. Neither is right or wrong—it’s about what you’re willing to invest.

What you’ll find below are real stories, salary breakdowns, and practical guides on how Indian MBBS graduates actually make it in the U.S. system—not the hype, not the myths, just the facts. Whether you’re thinking about moving, already in residency, or just curious, these posts give you the roadmap without the fluff.