Doctor Salary in Pakistan by Specialty in 2025
Doctor salary in Pakistan varies enormously by specialty, sector, and experience. This post covers what GPs, specialists, and government doctors earn, and how international licensing changes the picture.
Doctor salary in Pakistan ranges from Rs 50,000-150,000/month for a general practitioner to Rs 500,000-3,000,000+/month for senior specialists in high-demand fields like cardiology and neurosurgery. Government doctors have security and pension but earn less than successful private specialists. Pakistani doctors who clear PLAB or USMLE earn 10-50x more internationally.
Doctor salary in Pakistan is not a single figure. It depends on your specialty, how many years you have been practicing, whether you work in the government or private sector, and which city you are in. This post breaks it down honestly so you know what to expect before committing to a decade of medical training.
Doctor Salary in Pakistan by Career Stage
House Job (Year 1 After MBBS)
The house job is mandatory for all MBBS graduates in Pakistan and is the lowest-paid phase of the career. Stipends range from Rs 15,000-50,000/month depending on the hospital and province. This is the financial reality of Year 1.
General Practitioner (GP) or Junior Doctor
After the house job, doctors work as GPs or junior doctors while pursuing FCPS or other postgraduate qualifications. Private clinic GPs in major cities earn Rs 50,000-150,000/month. Government junior doctors at Grade-17 earn approximately Rs 80,000-100,000 basic salary plus allowances.
Doctor Salary in Pakistan by Specialty
| Specialty | Earning Level | Estimated Senior Monthly (Private Practice) |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiology | Very High | Rs 500,000 to Rs 3,000,000+ |
| Neurosurgery | Very High | Rs 500,000 to Rs 2,500,000+ |
| Orthopedic Surgery | Very High | Rs 400,000 to Rs 2,000,000+ |
| Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery | High | Rs 300,000 to Rs 1,500,000+ |
| Ophthalmology | High | Rs 300,000 to Rs 1,200,000+ |
| Gynecology and Obstetrics | High | Rs 200,000 to Rs 1,000,000+ |
| Dermatology | Medium-High | Rs 200,000 to Rs 800,000+ |
| General Medicine (Physician) | Medium | Rs 150,000 to Rs 600,000+ |
| Pediatrics | Medium | Rs 100,000 to Rs 500,000+ |
| Psychiatry | Medium | Rs 100,000 to Rs 400,000+ |
These are estimates for experienced senior doctors with established private practices in major cities. Actual earnings vary by patient volume, location, and years of reputation-building.
Government vs Private: Which Should You Choose?
Government employment provides job security, pension, and EOBI benefits with defined working hours. It is the safer, lower-earning path. Private practice has no ceiling for a successful specialist but requires building a patient base, managing a clinic, and dealing with business risk. Many senior government doctors maintain a private practice in addition to their government job, which provides both security and higher earnings.
Working Abroad: How Pakistani Doctors Earn More
- UK via PLAB exam: Foundation doctors earn GBP 30,000-40,000/year; consultants earn GBP 80,000-120,000+
- USA via USMLE: Residents earn USD 60,000-80,000/year; attending physicians earn USD 200,000-500,000+
- Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar) via DHA or MOH: significantly above Pakistani rates
- Australia via AMC exam: competitive salaries in a well-funded public health system
Prepare for MDCAT to Begin
Every medical career in Pakistan begins with MDCAT. Getting into a public medical college eliminates the private college fee burden, making the long investment primarily one of time. Prepare for MDCAT on Parhlai
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the doctor salary in Pakistan for a general practitioner?
A general practitioner (GP) in Pakistan working in a private clinic earns approximately Rs 50,000-150,000 per month depending on location and patient volume. Government sector junior doctors at Grade-17 entry level earn a basic salary of approximately Rs 80,000-100,000 plus allowances, varying by province.
Which medical specialty pays the most in Pakistan?
Cardiology, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery are consistently among the highest-paying specialties in Pakistan. Senior cardiologists in major cities with established private practices can earn Rs 500,000-3,000,000+ per month. Plastic and cosmetic surgery is a fast-growing high-earning specialty.
How much more do Pakistani doctors earn abroad?
Pakistani doctors who clear international licensing exams earn 10-50 times more than in Pakistan. A junior doctor in the UK earns GBP 30,000-40,000 per year. A senior consultant in the UK earns GBP 80,000-120,000+. Gulf countries also pay significantly above Pakistani rates.
Do government doctors in Pakistan earn less than private doctors?
Yes, government salaries for doctors are significantly lower than what successful private specialists earn. However, government employment provides job security, defined working hours, pension, and EOBI benefits. Many government doctors also maintain private practice, which supplements their income.
How long does it take to become a specialist in Pakistan?
After MBBS (5 years) and the mandatory house job (1 year), FCPS training takes 4-6 years. Most doctors become fully qualified specialists 10-12 years after starting their MBBS degree.
Is psychiatry well paid in Pakistan?
Psychiatry is currently underpaid relative to its complexity in Pakistan. Mental health is growing in awareness but consultation fees remain lower than surgical specialties. This is slowly changing, particularly in major cities, but psychiatry is not currently among Pakistan's high-earning medical specialties.
Academic Content Writer, Parhlai
Sana Malik writes Parhlai's study-skills, scholarships, and student-life guides, focused on helping Pakistani students study smarter and stress less.
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