Average Doctor Salaries: A Complete Guide by Specialty

Doctors are highly educated and experienced professionals who are routinely well-compensated for their work. However, there are many salary variations within the field of medicine depending on the speciality you choose and a few other factors like location and experience. Understanding your earning range may help you to find a job that suits your experience and expectation. In this article, we explore the average doctor salaries by specialities.

What are average doctor salaries?

The average salary for an allopathic doctor is ₹5,97,677 per year. For an ayurvedic doctor, the average salary is ₹3,19,517 per year. The exact salary that a doctor can expect to make will vary according to a range of factors, such as the following:

• Speciality: some medical specialities require higher education, advanced training and high-level skills. These specialities are in great demand, and if you have any of them, you will earn more.

• Location: if you are in a big city that has a high cost of living, you will earn more than a doctor who practises in a small town with a lower cost of living.

• Medical experience: the number of years you have practised and the level of your medical experience and expertise will make a difference in your earnings. Senior doctors, for instance, earn higher pay than their juniors.

• Place of employment: your workplace makes a difference in how much you can earn. If you have a private practice, you may earn more than someone employed in a government-run civil hospital.

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What are the average doctor salaries by specialities?

Doctors must get specific supplementary education, skill development and on-the-job training experience to specialise in different medical fields. Some medical specialities require more in-depth study than others and are more in demand. Doctors with such training may typically earn more than regular medical practitioners. You can get an idea of the average salaries and work duties of the specialists with the following:

1. Obstetricians and gynaecologists

National average salary: ₹13,81,024 per year

Primary duties: obstetricians and gynaecologists are responsible for diagnosing and treating health conditions related to women's reproductive organs. They assist patients by providing annual check-ups, caring for pregnant patients and delivering babies. Additionally, they may treat older women going through menopause or those suffering from cancer and other health ailments. They may work in private practice, a hospital or a large medical centre.

2. Paediatricians

National average salary: ₹9,04,302 per year

Primary duties: paediatricians are responsible for providing general medical care to babies, children, adolescents and teenagers. Apart from diagnosing and treating various health conditions, they will provide routine healthcare and monitor their patients' physical growth and development. They may work in private practice, a hospital, or a medical organisation.

3. General practitioners

National average salary: ₹5,12,293 per year

Primary duties: general practitioners are responsible for diagnosing and treating patients in all age groups. As they often treat entire families, they are also known as family medical practitioners. They refer to their patients' health histories to offer them routine preventive care or to assist them with managing their health issues. Most general practitioners work in private practices.

4. Psychiatrists

National average salary: ₹9,47,757 per year

Primary duties: psychiatrists are responsible for evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients with various mental health issues. They will listen to their patients, observe their behaviours and recommend a treatment plan. As part of the treatment, they may recommend psychological testing, suggest behaviour modifications and prescribe medications to alleviate mental distress. They may have a private practice or work in partnership with other health practitioners.

5. Dermatologists

National average salary: ₹13,47,012 per year

Primary duties: dermatologists are responsible for evaluating, diagnosing and treating various skin disorders and diseases. They will review the patient's symptoms, check their medical history and inform them about treatment options. After prescribing medications, they will monitor the patients for their effectiveness. They may run a private clinic or work in partnership with other doctors.

6. Oncologists

National average salary: ₹9,67,013 per year

Primary duties: oncologists are responsible for treating cancer patients with chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other medications. They examine the patient, check their health records and perform tests. Depending on the test results, they will recommend a suitable treatment plan and monitor its short-term and long-term efficacy. They may work in private practice, a hospital or a speciality cancer treatment medical centre.

7. Surgeons

National average salary: ₹6,21,751 per year

Primary duties: surgeons are responsible for operating on patients to repair, replace, transplant or remove damaged or diseased ligaments, bones, tissues, organs and other body parts. Some general surgeons perform all kinds of surgeries, and there are specialist surgeons like neurosurgeons, heart surgeons or dental surgeons. Their typical duties include conducting a pre-operative checkup, performing the operation and providing post-operative care. Surgeons may work in private practice, a hospital or a medical centre.

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8. Plastic surgeons

National average salary: ₹14,88,374 per year

Primary duties: plastic surgeons are responsible for performing corrective medical operations, reconstructive operations and cosmetic procedures on patients. They will examine a patient, review their medical history and assess if surgery is necessary or possible to treat birth, illness or accident-related disfigurements. They will surgically help to reconstruct, restore and improve a patient's bodily functions and appearance. Some plastic surgeons perform elective surgeries to enhance certain body parts. Plastic surgeons work in private practices, hospitals or medical centres.

9. Cardiology physicians

National average salary: ₹3,66,232 per year

Primary duties: cardiology physicians, also known as cardiologists, are responsible for diagnosing and treating health problems related to the cardiovascular system. They will examine the patient, note their symptoms and carry out diagnostic tests. After identifying the heart issues, they will devise a disease management plan and prescribe the appropriate medications. They will monitor the patient's progress during the treatment. Cardiologists may work in private practices, hospitals and medical centres.

10. Anaesthesiologists

National average salary: ₹11,74,715 per year

Primary duties: anaesthesiologists are responsible for administering, managing and monitoring anaesthesia given to patients during surgical and other medical procedures. An anaesthesiologist will accompany a surgeon throughout an operation to make sure that the patient is unconscious and monitor their breathing, blood pressure and heart rate. They are responsible for making sure that the patient wakes up safely from the anaesthesia that they administered. Anaesthesiologists generally work for hospitals or medical centres.

11. Neurologists

National average salary: ₹4,51,856 per year

Primary duties: neurologists are responsible for diagnosing and treating health ailments related to the nervous system. After examining the patient, they will ask them questions about their overall health. For instance, they will enquire about their vision, coordination, physical strength, reflexes and cognitive skills. They will conduct medical tests and scans to evaluate the state of the patient's brain, nerves, spinal cord and muscles. They will assess their physical and mental conditions, diagnose their problem and recommend a treatment plan. They will prescribe medications and monitor the patient to ensure that the ongoing treatment has the desired results.

12. Geriatric physicians

National average salary: ₹10,72,543 per year

Primary duties: geriatric physicians are responsible for providing medical treatment to elderly patients. They will carry out routine health checkups and guide healthy patients in health maintenance and disease prevention. After checking sick patients, they will enquire about their symptoms and assess their overall health condition. They will examine their medical records and review their current medications. Depending on their diagnosis, they may prescribe a change in medication, advise a healthier diet, recommend physical therapy or refer the patient to another health specialist. Geriatric physicians may work in private practices, hospitals, medical centres and nursing homes.

13. Urgent care physicians

National average salary: ₹4,21,543 per year

Primary duties: urgent care physicians are responsible for providing urgent medical care or medical advice to patients in urgent care centres or clinics. Patients generally visit them during an emergency when they cannot reach their primary care doctor. They will provide the care that you would usually get from your regular doctor. You do not require a prior appointment to see an urgent care physician.

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14. Internal medicine physicians

National average salary: ₹10,87,701 per year

Primary duties: an internal medicine physician, also known as an internist, is responsible for treating adult patients for a broad spectrum of minor and complex health issues. They will treat patients for minor fractures, lacerations, abscesses or gynaecological problems. Along with administering injections and giving IV fluids, they can conduct diagnostic procedures and recommend preventive measures to manage chronic health conditions. Internal medicine physicians may work in private practices, hospitals and medical centres.

Please note that salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing.