Top 10 Highest Paid Doctors in India: Job Description, Qualifications & Salary 2025

The top 10 highest paid doctors in India are cardiologists, oncologists, pulmonologists, General surgeons, ENT specialists, Neurologists and many more. 

Physicians are critical in keeping people well and are well-respected. They receive significant compensation because of their experience and prompt medical attention, as these fields are stable and highly respected.

A new physician in India usually makes about INR 8 LPA, and senior physicians can make between INR 15 LPA and 18 LPA as they gain expertise. Physicians employed by private hospitals frequently earn more than INR 1 lakh each month, and in general, one of the highest-paying professions in India is medicine.

Top 10 Most Paid Doctors in India

The top 10 most-paid doctors in India are General surgeons, ENT specialists, Neurologists, Paediatricians, and Psychiatrists. The roles and responsibilities of all the top 10 categorised doctors are tabulated below with their average salary: 

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1. Cardiologist

Cardiologists are medical professionals who specialise in heart and blood vascular disorders. Cardiovascular systems are their area of expertise. When assistance in other specialities is required, they provide it. 

• For instance, they are offering a psychic patient advice about their heart. Cardiologists perform the majority of crucial open-heart surgery and rank among India's top 10 highest-paid physicians as a result.

Job Description: One of the job responsibilities is to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease in patients.

Career Path: A bachelor's degree is usually the first step toward becoming a cardiologist. Next comes medical school, internal medicine residency, and cardiology fellowship. Licensure and exam certification are prerequisites. Clinical practice, research, teaching, and hospital administration are among career options.

Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (any one degree). After UG, a Doctor of MedicineMDMD) in general medicine and a Doctorate of MedicineDMDM) in cardiology.

Skills Needed: Time management, emotional intelligence, decision-making, and detail-orientedness.

Average Salary: Rs. 19.5 LPA

2. Oncologists

Cancer and its treatment are studied in the subject of oncology. The oncologists carry out medical trials. They develop a successful treatment strategy by conducting medical trials on test cases. 

• From the time of diagnosis to the patient's recovery, they are also accountable. To deliver better care, oncologists constantly collaborate with other specialities.

Job Description: When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, an oncologist provides treatment. Depending on the type of cancer, both chemotherapy and laser treatment are involved.

Career Path: Consider careers in healthcare administration as a medical director, clinical trial investigator, cancer research scientist, or an oncology-focused consultant after oncology.

Educational Qualification: MBBS degree, Doctor of Medicine MD) in general medicine. After UG, a Doctor of Medicine (DM) in oncology.

Skills Needed: Accurate diagnostic skills, Interpersonal skills, Research skills, and Medical management skills.

Average Salary: Rs. 28.3 LPA

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3. Pulmonologist

Specialists in respiratory care are known as pulmonologists. They address conditions, including asthma and other respiratory problems that impact the chest cavity. A rise in air pollution causes a number of cardiovascular issues. 

• This makes pulmonology one of the medical specialities with the highest salaries in India.

Job Description: A pulmonologist prevents, diagnoses, and treats patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.

Career Path: After pulmonology, consider roles such as critical care specialist, sleep medicine physician, respiratory therapist educator, healthcare administrator, or medical researcher focusing on lung diseases.

Educational Qualification: 

Skills Needed: Communication, patience, Attention to detail, and practical assessment.

Average Salary: Rs. 22.9 LPA

4. General Surgeon

Surgical operations are the general surgeon's area of expertise. They also rely on other experts to assist them in doing surgery. Instead of concentrating on only one human system, they specialise in a broad spectrum of disorders.

Job Description: To decide whether a patient needs surgery, general surgeons evaluate them. Additionally, they operate on patients as necessary.

Career Path: Surgical subspecialties such as trauma, colorectal, or vascular surgery can be pursued, as can academic surgery, surgical oncology, healthcare management, or medical consulting in surgical practices.

Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (any one degree). AfterUGUG, MS in general surgery and a one-year internship program.

Skills Needed: Critical thinking, eye-hand coordination, and observation skills.

Average Salary: Rs. 15.7 LPA

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5. ENT Specialist

The patient's nose, ears, and throat are taken care of by an ENT specialist. In addition to giving the appropriate medication, they examine the patients for potential illnesses. In addition, they conduct procedures when needed.

Job Description: ENT Specialist handles the medical conditions associated with ENT.

Career Path: Following specialisation, you may want to look into positions as a head and neck surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, allergy specialist, voice disorder specialist, academic researcher, medical consultant in ENT offices, or healthcare administrator.

Educational Qualification: Master of Biology, Anatomy, ENT, oMBBSS. (any one degree) or B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science). A Master of Science degree in Otolaryngology or a Master of Surgery degree in Otolaryngology, Otorhinolaryngology, or ENT is required following UG. Additionally applicable is an M.D. (Master of Doctor) in ENT/otolaryngology.

Skills Needed: Dexterity, good vision, eye-to-hand coordination, and organisational ability.

Average Salary: Rs. 16.3 LPA

6. Neurologists

The field of study that focuses on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves is called neurology. Assessing and treating neurological symptoms is the responsibility of a neurologist. At times, the neurologist's role may also include making therapy recommendations. 

• Given the importance of the brain, neurologists rank among the top 10 highest-paid medical specialities in India.

Job Description: The responsibilities include diagnosing and treating patients with neurological diseases.

Career Path: Following neurology, career options include stroke specialist, academic researcher, neuropsychiatrist, clinical neurophysiology, neurocritical care, neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, and healthcare administration in neurology departments.

Educational Qualification: MBBS and MD. (Medicine or Paediatrics) or equal to the DNB course. After UG, DM in Neurology, a one-year internship, and a residency in Neurology.

Skills Needed: Attention to detail, decision-making, remaining calm under pressure, and dexterity.

Average Salary: Rs. 10 LPA

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7. Paediatricians

The medical issues that affect newborns, kids, and young adults are studied in the field of paediatrics. The baby's body changes quickly as they get bigger. 

• As a result, paediatricians are necessary to preserve the health of patients from newborns to young people.

Job Description: A paediatrician diagnoses and treats medical issues in newborns, kids, and young people.

Career Path: Paediatric subspecialties, including neonatology, paediatric cardiology, paediatric oncology, or paediatric gastrointestinal, might be considered after paediatrics. Additional career options include paediatric neurology, paediatric surgery, academic paediatrics, healthcare administration, and child-centred global health initiatives.

Educational Qualification: MBBS and MD in paediatrics.

Skills Needed: Teamwork, patience, communication, empathy, and good with children.

Average Salary: Rs. 14.4 LPA

8. Psychiatrist

The branch of medicine that treats mental illness is called psychiatry. It provides treatment for physical problems linked to mental diseases as well as emotional disorders. 

• Physicians who specialise in psychiatry are known as psychiatrists. 
• Psychiatrists are among the top-paid medical professionals in India due to the increased demand for treating mental diseases.

Job Description: Psychiatrists check a patient for mental illness. They prescribe medications and conduct psychotherapy.

Career Path: Other career routes lead from psychiatry, such as addiction, forensic, geriatric, child and adolescent, or psychiatric research. Other alternatives include consulting in mental health policy and advocacy, telepsychiatry, and the administration of psychiatric hospitals.

Educational Qualification: Pre-med or a degree in psychology, Doctor of Medicine MD.), or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine DO.). After a master’s degree, a four-year psychiatry residency, and a year of fellowship.

Skills Needed: Communication, perception, logical Reasoning, and empathy.

Average Salary: Rs. 10 LPA

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9. General Physician

A wide range of common health conditions is handled by general physicians. They treat patients with non-surgical methods. They frequently deal with wound healing. Patients recommended by specialists with different specialities can see general practitioners for consultations.

Job Description: The duties of the position include diagnosing illnesses and performing examinations. It also entails collaborating with healthcare teams and writing prescriptions for drugs.

Career Path: Paths that follow general practice include internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, and occupational medicine specialisations. Additional choices include positions in public health, clinical research, medical education, healthcare management, and telemedicine.

Educational Qualification: MBBS degree and MD in general medicine.

Skills Needed: Communication, patience, Attention to detail, and effective assessment.

Average Salary: Rs. 7.4 LPA

10. Dentist

A dental surgeon, sometimes known as a dentist, works to improve a patient's oral health. Patients will receive advice from a dentist to adhere to particular schedules. They provide dental consultations. A person's oral health will improve after visiting a dentist.

Job Description: Dentists examine, identify, and handle dental problems. They operate on patients to clean teeth and fix cavities.

Career Path: orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, or paediatric dentistry. Other paths include academia, dental research, public health dentistry, dental administration, or dental consultancy.

Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Dental Surgery or an MBBS degree. A year of compulsory internship is necessary.

Skills Needed: Dexterity, good vision, eye-to-hand coordination, and organisational ability.

Average Salary: Rs. 3.6 LPA

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