Doctor vs Engineer: Lifestyle | Career | Salary

Every year, hundreds of students contemplate their future career choices. The dilemma runs even deeper for science stream students as they have to decide which field to pursue – engineering or medical.

While making career choices, it is beneficial for students to extensively research career paths, potential jobs, lifestyles and consider all of the relevant factors, such as working circumstances, salary packages, job prospects, and educational requirements. For science stream students, engineering and medical – both fields have distinct career paths and trajectories that may or may not appeal to them.

If you are also trying to decide what to become – an engineer or a doctor, understanding the differences between the lifestyles of a doctor and an engineer, their salaries, and academic requirements will help you decide which of the two careers is right for you. Here, in this blog, we are going to discuss engineer vs doctor careers, salaries, lifestyles, and educational requirements to help you decide the best-suited career for you.

Doctors vs Engineers Overview:

Doctor vs Engineer – Educational Requirements:

Since the two professions are poles apart, a doctor’s and an engineer’s educational requirements differ. So here we present the educational requirements for a doctor and engineer.

For Doctors:

• You must have studied science with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects in Class 11th & 12th.
• You must qualify for entrance exams like NEET(UG) and other entrance exams conducted by state government bodies, universities, and colleges.
• After taking admission to the MBBS program, you must complete a 5.5-year Bachelor’s degree, including one year of internship. You can start practising as a physician after completing your MBBS.
• For post-graduation programs like MD/MS, you must qualify respective entrance exams like NEET(PG), & INI CET.
• You must complete your master’s degree to pursue the doctoral program (PhD); however, for some subjects, M.Phil is required for a PhD.

Overall, it can take upto six to eighteen years for some specialisations to complete.

For Engineers:

• You must have studied science with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in Class 11th & 12th.
• You need to qualify for entrance exams like JEE Main & Advanced and other entrance exams conducted by state government bodies, universities, and private colleges.
• After taking admission to the B.E./B.Tech programs, you must complete a four-year Bachelor’s degree.
• After completing the Bachelor’s degree, you’ll become an engineer and seek jobs in various organisations/industries.
• Depending on the specialisation, you may need to pursue a master’s degree, including M.E/M.Tech., MBA, M.Sc., PG Diploma programs, etc.

Overall, it can take three to four years for an engineer to complete their bachelor’s degree, with an additional couple of years if they choose to specialise in a particular field.

Doctors vs Engineers – Career Responsibilities:

While making career decisions, it is reasonable to weigh your career responsibilities to make wise choices. Here we have outlined a few job responsibilities of an engineer and doctor for you.

Career Responsibilities of a Doctor:

Examining, diagnosing, and treating patients are the primary responsibilities of a doctor. In addition, they also counsel patients about the necessary measures to improve or maintain their health. You can also study different specialities like dermatology, neurology, cardiology, etc. Typical career responsibilities of a doctor include

• Diagnose illnesses and prescribe the necessary treatment
• Prescribe required lab tests and analyse the results
• Conducting minor/major surgeries
• Obtaining relevant data about the patient’s family and medical history
• Administrating treatment and explaining its procedure to patients
• Observing early signs and symptoms of various illnesses for quicker diagnosis.
• Referring critical patients to specialists

Career Responsibilities of an Engineer:

Designing, developing, and testing new machines, buildings, technology, equipment, and systems are the primary responsibilities of an engineer. They are also responsible for modifying and changing the current system, machine, or engine for improvement. You can study engineering in different specialities like mechanical, civil, electrical, etc. Job responsibilities vary depending on your field of specialisation. However, for your reference, the typical career responsibilities of an engineer include

• Creating project estimates and defining budgets
• Specifying project requirements
• Defining testing procedures
• Meeting project deadlines
• Keeping project progress and budgets on track
• Writing project technical reports for customers and stakeholders
• Keeping track of the project’s progress and documenting it

Doctors vs Engineers – Jobs & Scope

For Engineers:

For Doctors:

Doctors vs Engineers – Lifestyle:

Both engineers and doctors have different lifestyles and work environments.

Doctors usually work in hospitals, private clinics, or physician offices. Some even work in government offices, private institutes, and non-profit organizations. They usually work indoors and in rapid-moving situations where they must keep themselves on their toes to make critical decisions. Their work timings typically extend 40+ hours per week. In addition, they often have to do night shifts and work on weekends and holidays.

Engineers work both – indoor and outdoor office settings, factories, laboratories, construction sites, etc., depending on their work and job profile. They usually work with a team to coordinate project development and completion. Based on their job profile, they may have to use high-risk equipment and wear safety gear, but that won’t be the case with all. Engineers typically work regular business hours, i.e. 40 hours per week. However, it can be extended based on the projects, and they need to work overtime, on weekends, or through holidays to meet particular deadlines.

Doctors vs Engineers – Salary:

While computing the average engineer’s or doctor’s salary, it’s hard to determine the exact number; hence we’ll go with estimates over here. Please consider that salary depends on both fields’ specialisation, location, and experience.

An average doctor would make about ₹ 7,50,000 per annum, while experienced specialists would make about ₹ 41,00,000 per annum.

An average engineer would make about ₹ 5,00,000 per annum, while experienced specialists would make about ₹ 30,00,000 per annum.

Both fields encompass add-on benefits from employers like accommodation facilities, travel allowances, relocation assistance, life insurance, etc., based on their job profile, experience, location, and specialization.

These are the basic details about lifestyle, job responsibilities, educational requirements, and salaries of a doctor and engineer. Furthermore, while making career decisions, it is important to consider that both occupations are high-in-demand, and earning opportunities increase yearly.

So if you want to become a doctor or an engineer, prepare with the most-trusted and result-dominating institute to make yourself future-ready and ace competitive exams like JEE or NEET to accomplish all your dreams. Reach out to us with your queries, concerns, or doubts, and we’ll gladly assist you.

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