'Medical field is overrated': Topper doctor at 30 compares his career graph with 'average' engineer friend earning three times

A social media post comparing the engineering and medical professions has ignited a debate on social media. A Reddit post by a doctor has sparked a wide debate on social media about whether medicine, long regarded as one of the most respected and stable career choices in India, still offers the same rewards as engineering and corporate jobs. The author compared his own life path as a top-ranking medical student with that of his school friend, who was considered average in academics and went on to become an engineer. Their career journeys, incomes, and lifestyles, he wrote, turned out very different by the age of 30, raising questions on whether the sacrifices made in the medical field are worth it anymore.

Engineering vs Medical: The comparison of two classmates

The post narrates the life journey of two school friends. One chose medicine after scoring among the top 100 in his state board exams, while the other, who scored 65% in Class 12, pursued engineering through management quota in another state.

While the engineering graduate started earning within months of finishing his degree, the medical student spent years completing MBBS, followed by internship, postgraduate entrance preparation, and residency. By the time he started earning, his engineer friend had already secured multiple salary hikes.

Work conditions and lifestyle gap

The engineer’s job, according to the post, offered a five-day week, regular breaks, recreational facilities at the workplace, and opportunities to work from home during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the doctor described long working hours during residency and later bond duty in rural areas, often with limited facilities and no central air conditioning.

During COVID-19, while the engineer worked remotely, the doctor was required to serve in villages under government bond obligations.

Earnings and financial security

The doctor wrote that his first proper job after almost a decade paid Rs 1 lakh per month, but by then, his engineer friend’s salary was already in the range of Rs 2–2.5 lakh. At present, according to the post, the engineer earns three times more than the doctor’s income.

The medical graduate also explained that he had to borrow money from his family to set up a private clinic and has limited savings, while his friend managed to build financial security by starting work early.

A larger concern for medical aspirants

The Reddit post concluded with a warning to students considering medicine, saying that despite years of academic excellence, doctors often start their careers later, with high workloads, lower initial salaries, and uncertain prospects in private practice.

The user argued that engineering and corporate careers provide faster financial growth, better work-life balance, and stability compared to the long and uncertain journey of becoming a doctor.

While the post reflects one individual’s experience, it has generated discussions online about the value of medical education, financial pressures on young doctors, and the changing job landscape in India. Some readers agreed with the concerns, while others argued that long-term career success and respect in society still make medicine a rewarding profession.