What Is the Salary of an MBBS Doctor in the USA?

When people ask about the salary of an MBBS doctor in the USA, they’re often thinking about how much money a doctor makes after finishing medical school - especially if they’re comparing it to countries like India or the UK. But here’s the thing: the term MBBS doesn’t really exist in the U.S. medical system. In India, South Africa, or the UK, MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery - it’s the degree you get after five and a half years of study. In the U.S., you don’t earn an MBBS. You earn an MD - Doctor of Medicine - after four years of medical school, followed by residency. So if you’re asking about an MBBS doctor working in the U.S., you’re really asking about a foreign-trained doctor practicing medicine here.

How Much Do Foreign-Trained Doctors Make in the USA?

Doctors who graduated from medical schools outside the U.S. - including those with MBBS degrees - can practice in America, but only after passing a long and expensive certification process. They must pass the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) steps 1, 2 CK, 2 CS, and 3. Then they enter a residency program, which lasts 3 to 7 years depending on the specialty. Only after that can they get a medical license and start working independently.

Once licensed, their pay is the same as U.S.-trained doctors. There’s no separate pay scale for foreign graduates. The average salary for a physician in the U.S. in 2025 is around $260,000 per year, according to Medscape’s annual physician compensation report. But that number varies wildly based on specialty, location, and years of experience.

Salary Breakdown by Specialty

Not all doctors earn the same. A family medicine doctor in rural Iowa might make $220,000. A neurosurgeon in New York City could pull in over $750,000. Here’s what actual 2025 salary data looks like for common specialties:

These figures are for fully licensed, practicing physicians. They don’t include residents. Most foreign-trained doctors spend 3 to 7 years as residents earning between $60,000 and $75,000 a year - depending on the hospital and year of training. That means someone who finished their MBBS in 2020 might not hit six figures until 2026 or later, even if they started residency right away.

Location Matters More Than You Think

Doctors in California, New York, or Massachusetts typically earn 15-25% more than those in states like Mississippi, Alabama, or South Dakota. Why? Higher cost of living, more competition, and higher patient volumes. But it’s not just about big cities. A dermatologist in a small town in Texas might make more than one in a crowded urban clinic because they have fewer competitors and more private practice opportunities.

Also, hospitals in rural areas often offer signing bonuses of $100,000 or more to attract doctors. If you’re an MBBS graduate willing to work in a shortage area - like a rural community hospital or federally qualified health center - you could get help paying off student loans, free housing, or even tuition reimbursement.

Student Debt Can Eat Into Earnings

Most U.S.-trained doctors graduate with $200,000 to $300,000 in student debt. Foreign-trained doctors often have less debt - many MBBS programs in India cost under $20,000 total. But here’s the catch: the cost of USMLE prep, visa fees, residency applications, and relocation can add up to $15,000-$25,000. Plus, many international doctors take out loans to cover living expenses during residency.

So while a doctor from Mumbai might start with far less debt than a doctor from Harvard, they still face financial pressure early on. It’s not uncommon for foreign-trained doctors to work extra shifts, take locum tenens jobs, or delay buying a home until their fifth year of practice.

How Long Does It Take to Start Earning Like a U.S. Doctor?

Let’s say you finished your MBBS in 2022 and moved to the U.S. right after. Here’s a realistic timeline:

1. 2022-2023: Study for and pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK
2. 2023: Apply for residency, interview, match
3. 2024-2027: Complete 3-year residency (e.g., internal medicine)
4. 2027: Get licensed, start full-time job

That’s five years from graduation to earning a full attending salary. If you’re doing a longer residency - say, neurosurgery - it could be eight years. That means if you graduated at 24, you might not hit $300,000 a year until you’re 32 or older.

Is It Worth It?

Some MBBS graduates from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Nigeria choose to stay home because salaries there are rising. A senior doctor in a private hospital in Delhi can now earn ₹25-40 lakh per year ($30,000-$50,000), which is a lot more than what a resident makes in the U.S.

But in the U.S., the long-term earning potential is unmatched. Even after taxes, insurance, and student loans, most physicians end up with a net worth over $1 million by age 45. The work is harder - longer hours, more paperwork, more burnout - but the financial payoff is real.

For many, it’s not just about money. It’s about access to cutting-edge technology, research opportunities, and the chance to work in a system where innovation moves fast. A doctor in the U.S. might use AI tools for diagnosis, robotic surgery systems, or participate in clinical trials that aren’t available elsewhere.

What About Non-Clinical Roles?

Not every MBBS graduate wants to be a bedside doctor. Many go into medical writing, pharmaceutical sales, healthcare consulting, or medical tech startups. These roles don’t require a license and often pay well. A medical director at a health tech company might earn $200,000-$350,000 without ever seeing a patient.

Some foreign-trained doctors even become medical educators, teaching U.S. students how to pass the USMLE. These positions are in high demand and offer flexible hours.

Final Reality Check

There’s no shortcut. No magic trick. If you have an MBBS and want to practice in the U.S., you’re signing up for a 5-8 year journey filled with exams, relocations, financial strain, and emotional stress. The salary at the end is impressive - but only if you stick it out.

And remember: the U.S. doesn’t hire MBBS doctors. It hires licensed physicians. Your degree matters less than your license. Focus on passing the USMLE. Build your clinical experience. Network with mentors. And don’t let the salary numbers distract you from the real work ahead.