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.