When you finish your MBBS, a medical degree awarded in countries like India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Also known as Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, it’s the first step toward becoming a licensed doctor in many parts of the world. But if you’re thinking about moving to the USA, you need to know one thing: your MBBS alone doesn’t make you a doctor there. You have to go through the USMLE, the United States Medical Licensing Examination, a three-step process that all foreign medical graduates must pass to practice in the U.S.. Only after clearing USMLE, matching into a medical residency, a mandatory training program that lasts 3 to 7 years depending on the specialty, and getting a license can you legally work as a doctor in America.
So what’s the pay like? During residency, doctors in the USA earn between $60,000 and $70,000 a year—yes, that’s after six or seven years of studying. It’s not much compared to what they’ll make later, but it’s enough to live on, especially since housing and meals are often covered. After residency, salaries jump fast. A general practitioner makes around $250,000 a year. Surgeons? They hit $400,000 or more. Specialists like cardiologists or neurosurgeons can clear $500,000–$700,000. The top earners aren’t just lucky—they spent over a decade grinding through exams, long shifts, and sleepless nights.
Here’s the catch: most MBBS graduates from India don’t land these jobs right away. You need to pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK with high scores, get strong letters of recommendation, and often complete clinical rotations in the U.S. Hospitals prefer candidates who’ve trained here, even if they’re from abroad. It’s not impossible—it happens every year—but it’s not easy either. And if you’re thinking about this path, know that the cost of exams, visa fees, and travel can add up to $10,000–$15,000 before you even start earning.
What you’ll find below are real guides, step-by-step breakdowns, and honest stories from doctors who made the jump. Whether you’re wondering how to pass USMLE, what residency programs look for, or how your MBBS degree stacks up against an MD in the U.S., the posts here give you the exact details you need—no marketing fluff, no empty promises, just what works.
