City Town Info

Dothan Employment

Employment and Industries in the Dothan, Alabama Area

Dothan is a major commercial and transportation center in its region. Approximately half of the workforce is employed in white collar jobs. The combined healthcare and social services industry is the largest employer and manufacturing is second. The service industry includes a little over 20% of the workforce. About 17% of the workforce is employed by the government. Some of the other popular fields for employment are sales, aviation, fabricated metals and transportation. Aerospace and advanced technology industries also provide jobs. In addition, the Speculative Building Program encourages development and has brought new jobs to Dothan.

Approximately one-fourth of the nation's peanut crop is grown nearby which provides jobs at the city's processing plants. Cotton is also a significant factor for the economy. Distribution centers also have a significant role in the economy.

The city has one of the lowest cost of living levels in the nation. In 2006, US News and World Reports ranked Dothan #1 as the lowest cost of living city in the country. The ranking is primarily due to low local taxes. In addition, the average income in Dothan in early 2009 was $29,000. About 15% of the residents have a bachelor's degree and about 8% have a graduate degree.

The Southeast Valley Medical Center is the largest employer in Dothan. The other prominent employers in the Dothan area are:

  • Coca-Cola
  • L-3 Communications
  • Medical Connections
  • GAM Inc
  • AAA Cooper Transportation
  • Houston County Healthcare Authority
  • Triad of Alabama
  • Goldco
  • GGG Foods
  • Ansell
  • Sony Magnetic Products of America
  • General Electric
  • Michelen
  • Dunbarton
  • Barrington Seafood
  • Qualico Steel
  • Pemco World Air Services
  • McLane Company
  • International Paper
  • E & H Steel
  • Dixie Egg
  • Movie Gallery's distribution center
  • City of Dothan
  • Dupont Hospital
  • Community Health Systems
  • Gentiva Health Services
  • Amedisys
  • PTRRS

The Dothan Chamber of Commerceis the city's primary business organization.

The Dothan Eagle provides information on the current business activities in the city.

Most Popular Jobs in Dothan, Alabama Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,54052,240$38,050 - 65,99024%56%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products77041,850$23,120 - 70,9608%51%
3Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education71045,680$35,620 - 57,0306%96%
4Elementary school teachers, except special education53043,670$34,230 - 54,34014%95%
5Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education34045,700$35,970 - 55,27011%95%
6Accountants and auditors32065,930$34,490 - 121,29018%79%
7Pharmacists230106,030$76,280 - 138,90022%97%
8Advertising sales agents14038,350$20,190 - 63,90020%56%
9Child, family, and school social workers14036,240$26,040 - 52,11019%77%
10Legislators13015,360$12,840 - 17,0201%65%
11Financial managers13079,850$42,470 - 136,07013%60%
12Medical and clinical laboratory technologists12049,050$37,730 - 63,21012%51%
13Medical and public health social workers12036,920$26,290 - 51,18024%77%
14Lawyers120141,770$56,510 - 11%99%
15Chief executives120167,950$90,560 - 2%65%
16Medical and health services managers11098,760$57,560 - 150,71016%57%
17Education administrators, elementary and secondary school10070,510$52,900 - 93,1108%78%
18Social and human service assistants8023,730$18,480 - 30,35034%58%
19Librarians8042,800$28,980 - 55,0304%85%
20Sales managers80101,490$56,560 - 10%69%
21Special education teachers, secondary school7044,860$35,730 - 54,7809%87%
22Graphic designers7026,550$18,560 - 35,31010%55%
23Public relations specialists7040,630$25,970 - 68,62018%81%
24Medical and clinical laboratory technicians6030,790$19,000 - 43,27015%51%
25Managers, all other6077,320$35,770 - 126,8307%55%
26Self-enrichment education teachers6027,210$16,180 - 43,22023%54%
27Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other5057,050$14,570 - 76,31017%56%
28Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation5039,430$27,510 - 55,7405%58%
29Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products5064,260$34,100 - 117,53012%51%
30Civil engineers5072,730$44,440 - 102,66018%87%
31Network and computer systems administrators5057,860$39,350 - 80,06027%50%
32Physical therapists5079,490$55,960 - 107,68027%89%
33Educational, vocational, and school counselors5051,190$41,230 - 63,57013%73%
34Social and community service managers4048,670$32,860 - 76,22025%72%
35Special education teachers, middle school4046,360$40,410 - 52,95016%87%
36Training and development specialists4052,000$29,710 - 67,35018%56%
37Vocational education teachers, secondary school4047,050$37,500 - 58,0200%96%
38Network systems and data communications analysts4061,330$28,970 - 85,19053%57%
39Computer programmers4042,020$32,600 - 53,7200%73%
40Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school4043,440$34,300 - 52,57020%87%
41Dentists, general30161,540$100,330 - 9%100%
42Personal financial advisors3076,350$31,810 - 157,07041%81%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,54021,550$13,440 - 32,92012%25%
2Cashiers2,09015,980$12,840 - 20,220-2%10%
3Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,52041,350$25,250 - 61,08010%4%
4Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,48025,520$17,820 - 34,2501%18%
5Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,42020,410$14,160 - 26,5502%5%
6Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,23014,980$12,790 - 18,40018%5%
7General and operations managers1,09080,880$37,870 - 142,4702%48%
8Waiters and waitresses1,05016,610$12,930 - 22,17011%14%
9First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,00035,660$19,840 - 51,1604%25%
10Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,00019,840$13,860 - 29,79018%7%
11Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks99028,740$17,850 - 39,51013%16%
12Office clerks, general96020,370$13,420 - 30,49013%19%
13Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses95032,840$23,800 - 43,37014%7%
14Stock clerks and order fillers81020,170$13,690 - 29,820-7%8%
15Team assemblers75019,580$13,340 - 28,9300%5%
16First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers67043,730$24,000 - 69,7906%29%
17Customer service representatives64024,280$14,270 - 35,39025%22%
18Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners64017,830$13,080 - 24,73015%4%
19Truck drivers, light or delivery services57027,850$15,560 - 48,1508%4%
20Security guards530 17%13%
21First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers52045,770$24,920 - 83,310-4%15%
22Receptionists and information clerks50021,980$15,230 - 31,49017%13%
23Maintenance and repair workers, general50026,360$16,590 - 38,71010%6%
24First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers48023,300$13,910 - 37,58011%14%
25Cooks, restaurant48018,420$13,250 - 25,51012%5%
26Maids and housekeeping cleaners46016,600$13,170 - 20,26013%5%
27Construction laborers45020,390$13,490 - 33,16011%5%
28Sewing machine operators44020,920$16,800 - 25,510-26%5%
29First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers44054,400$25,680 - 73,4209%10%
30Counter and rental clerks40020,270$13,430 - 28,01023%16%
31Cooks, fast food38014,590$12,730 - 17,0308%5%
32Food preparation workers37017,030$13,350 - 20,56015%7%
33Tellers36021,140$16,400 - 28,84014%16%
34Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders36020,530$13,700 - 29,550-4%5%
35Billing and posting clerks and machine operators33025,870$18,020 - 36,1704%15%
36First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers32047,460$25,030 - 67,2907%13%
37Automotive service technicians and mechanics32030,800$18,700 - 48,72014%4%
38Industrial truck and tractor operators32025,700$18,200 - 32,950-1%2%
39Medical assistants31025,880$18,400 - 38,18035%10%
40Police and sheriff's patrol officers30036,010$24,370 - 51,61011%33%
41Carpenters30034,280$22,950 - 49,37010%6%
42Parts salespersons27024,530$17,030 - 35,720-1%6%
43Bus drivers, school27014,200$12,790 - 15,9009%4%
44Teacher assistants26017,800$13,870 - 21,36010%18%
45Child care workers26015,170$12,850 - 18,64018%15%
46Electricians25030,430$20,370 - 40,3907%7%
47Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks25024,500$14,820 - 35,7704%6%
48Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers25028,040$21,310 - 37,3309%3%
49Cooks, institution and cafeteria24017,050$13,160 - 22,27011%5%
50Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers24025,870$20,130 - 32,6805%2%
51Industrial machinery mechanics24039,530$28,310 - 50,6309%5%
52Pharmacy technicians23024,340$16,150 - 32,85032%16%
53Landscaping and groundskeeping workers22020,990$16,170 - 28,22018%6%
54Packers and packagers, hand21020,440$13,310 - 30,630-11%3%
55Driver/sales workers20030,510$13,720 - 47,710-4%4%
56Home health aides20017,830$13,290 - 23,82049%7%
57Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic20025,900$19,800 - 32,900-14%0%
58Postal service mail carriers190 1%11%
59Executive secretaries and administrative assistants18040,140$29,930 - 51,14015%18%
60Dishwashers17015,770$12,940 - 20,27010%3%
61Bill and account collectors17027,140$18,310 - 37,21023%13%
62Machine feeders and offbearers16021,280$16,740 - 29,430-14%0%
63Physicians and surgeons, all other160181,060$45,400 - 0%0%
64Loan officers16057,180$32,570 - 86,16012%49%
65First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers16054,340$29,550 - 80,4404%38%
66Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists15038,380$29,630 - 49,21012%3%
67Refuse and recyclable material collectors15021,590$14,260 - 29,8307%3%
68Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers15027,760$18,570 - 38,650-6%14%
69Switchboard operators, including answering service15020,280$16,320 - 26,770-7%10%
70First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators15047,510$28,300 - 66,15010%17%
71Food service managers15041,980$27,850 - 63,1205%24%
72Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists15034,720$21,310 - 57,20012%6%
73Dental hygienists14042,020$32,220 - 50,80030%33%
74Radiologic technologists and technicians14047,650$32,870 - 63,95015%25%
75Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals14024,350$15,910 - 31,7703%4%
76Medical records and health information technicians14022,030$15,110 - 31,56018%12%
77Structural iron and steel workers14038,970$25,730 - 52,0006%4%
78Protective service workers, all other13019,780$16,040 - 24,74013%31%
79First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers13023,380$16,410 - 32,76013%11%
80Preschool teachers, except special education13027,420$17,710 - 38,63026%43%
81Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks13015,980$13,060 - 19,63017%14%
82Amusement and recreation attendants13015,160$12,790 - 17,78024%22%
83Dental assistants12027,440$20,900 - 34,05029%9%
84Dental laboratory technicians12025,970$17,370 - 38,7204%12%
85Loan interviewers and clerks12025,310$17,100 - 32,8300%24%
86Medical transcriptionists12027,740$22,120 - 33,24014%10%
87Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop12015,450$12,910 - 19,07010%17%
88Insurance sales agents11038,290$21,950 - 56,26013%45%
89Medical secretaries11026,430$18,360 - 33,96017%18%
90Sales representatives, services, all other11041,040$15,360 - 81,48028%48%
91Legal secretaries10023,620$17,200 - 36,51012%18%
92Sheet metal workers10029,490$18,370 - 47,8407%4%
93Surgical technologists10033,540$19,250 - 49,11025%16%
94Payroll and timekeeping clerks10025,980$18,420 - 33,2403%18%
95Helpers--production workers10021,580$14,650 - 29,1000%4%
96Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials10020,410$14,660 - 29,930-3%3%
97Cost estimators10048,330$22,500 - 76,51019%32%
98Health technologists and technicians, all other10043,130$17,850 - 122,57015%27%
99First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand10034,960$20,440 - 54,15013%17%
100Machinists10034,250$23,290 - 52,440-2%3%
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Dothan property, mortgage, and real estate.

Jobs More Common Near Dothan Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals24,35014025
Dental laboratory technicians25,9701208.5
Sewing machine operators20,9204408.4
Legislators15,3601307.4
Structural iron and steel workers38,9701406.2
Protective service workers, all other19,7801304.4
Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials20,4101004.4
Machine feeders and offbearers21,2801604.1
Medical transcriptionists27,7401203.8
Health technologists and technicians, all other43,1301003.7
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses32,8409503.5
Refuse and recyclable material collectors21,5901503.5
Parts salespersons24,5302703.1
Surgical technologists33,5401002.9
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders20,5303602.8
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer41,3501,5202.4
Switchboard operators, including answering service20,2801502.4
Industrial machinery mechanics39,5302402.4
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers28,0402502.4
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic25,9002002.4
Medical and public health social workers36,9201202.2
Counter and rental clerks20,2704002.2
Pharmacists106,0302302.2
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers35,6601,0002.1
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers45,7705202.1
Medical records and health information technicians22,0301402.1
Advertising sales agents38,3501402.1
Dental hygienists42,0201402
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive25,5201,4802
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers54,4004401.9
Food service managers41,9801501.9
Team assemblers19,5807501.9
Cooks, institution and cafeteria17,0502401.9
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education45,6807101.9
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants19,8401,0001.8
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers47,4603201.8
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists49,0501201.8
Cooks, fast food14,5903801.8
Pharmacy technicians24,3402301.8
First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers23,3801301.8
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers25,8702401.8
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators47,5101501.8
Radiologic technologists and technicians47,6501401.7
Bus drivers, school14,2002701.7
General and operations managers80,8801,0901.6
Sheet metal workers29,4901001.6
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists38,3801501.6
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators25,8703301.6
Medical assistants25,8803101.6
Tellers21,1403601.6

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Dothan, Alabama Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Lawyers141,7701.38120
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists34,7201.38150
Medical and health services managers98,7601.17110
Driver/sales workers30,5101.17200
Chief executives167,9501.11120
Accountants and auditors65,9301.1320
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer41,3501.11,520
Preschool teachers, except special education27,4201.08130
Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals24,3501.05140
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants40,1401.03180
Physicians and surgeons, all other181,0601.02160
Pharmacists106,0301.01230
Packers and packagers, hand20,4401210
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists38,3800.98150
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers43,7300.97670
Loan officers57,1800.97160
Truck drivers, light or delivery services27,8500.96570
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers54,4000.94440
Radiologic technologists and technicians47,6500.93140
Sewing machine operators20,9200.93440
Medical assistants25,8800.92310
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers35,6600.921,000
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists49,0500.92120
Receptionists and information clerks21,9800.92500
Dishwashers15,7700.92170
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators47,5100.91150
Medical secretaries26,4300.91110
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education45,7000.91340
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks28,7400.9990
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education45,6800.89710
Tellers21,1400.89360
Child, family, and school social workers36,2400.89140
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic25,9000.89200
Industrial machinery mechanics39,5300.89240
Waiters and waitresses16,6100.891,050
Food preparation workers17,0300.89370
Stock clerks and order fillers20,1700.88810
Retail salespersons21,5500.882,540
Bill and account collectors27,1400.88170
Elementary school teachers, except special education43,6700.88530
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive25,5200.881,480
Carpenters34,2800.87300
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop15,4500.87120
Counter and rental clerks20,2700.87400
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food14,9800.871,230
Maids and housekeeping cleaners16,6000.87460
Pharmacy technicians24,3400.87230
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers20,9900.87220
Food service managers41,9800.86150
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers45,7700.86520

Highest Paying Jobs in Dothan, Alabama Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Surgeons208,59060
Physicians and surgeons, all other181,060160
Chief executives167,950120
Dentists, general161,54030
Family and general practitioners157,350 
Lawyers141,770120
Pharmacists106,030230
Sales managers101,49080
Medical and health services managers98,760110
Physician assistants84,440 
General and operations managers80,8801,090
Financial managers79,850130
Physical therapists79,49050
Managers, all other77,32060
Personal financial advisors76,35030
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers74,91040
Administrative services managers74,28030
Civil engineers72,73050
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school70,510100
Industrial production managers66,50090
Accountants and auditors65,930320
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products64,26050
Construction managers62,46070
Network systems and data communications analysts61,33040
Network and computer systems administrators57,86050
Audiologists57,430 
Loan officers57,180160
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other57,05050
Business operations specialists, all other56,21040
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers54,400440
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers54,340160
Diagnostic medical sonographers53,40040
Registered nurses52,2401,540
Training and development specialists52,00040
Educational, vocational, and school counselors51,19050
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists49,050120
Social and community service managers48,67040
Physical therapist assistants48,45050
Cost estimators48,330100
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators48,01060
Radiologic technologists and technicians47,650140
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators47,510150
Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents47,51040
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers47,460320
Vocational education teachers, secondary school47,05040
Special education teachers, middle school46,36040
Electrical power-line installers and repairers46,10090
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers45,770520
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education45,700340
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education45,680710

Large Companies Headquartered in Dothan

CompanyRevenue 2005 (billions)
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