Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Dothan, AL: $34,836 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Dothan, AL earns a median $34,836/year (≈ $16.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.8), that paycheck buys what $41,554 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.2% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dothan, Alabama, the projected median annual salary for emergency medical technicians in 2026 is $34,836. This figure is significantly lower than the national average of $47,058, indicating a pay gap that reflects the local labor market conditions. EMTs in Dothan can expect to earn between $28,974 at the lower end and up to $42,243 for those at the top of their profession. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected for 2026, highlight the realities faced by emergency medical technicians in the region. Reaching the paramedic level typically enhances one's earning potential, but those opting to remain as EMTs in Dothan experience a salary range that may prompt consideration of higher-paying roles or further career advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,974 | $13.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,857 | $14.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,836 | $16.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,175 | $18.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,243 | $20.31 |
Median Salary Position
25.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,269 (2026 est.). At $34,836, the local median is 25.97% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dothan Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Dothan median: $34,836/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $40,134 | -13.20% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -25.97% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Dothan, AL earn a median of $34,836 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.97% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 13.20% below the Alabama state average of $40,134.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 16.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 83.833 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $34,836 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,554 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.28% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$22,580
2025 BLS Actual
$32,920
2026 Current Est.
$34,836
2021–2027 Growth
+63.3%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Dothan (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,836 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,863 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 45.8% from $22,580 (2021) to $32,920 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,863 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,283 (63.26%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $28,974 – $30,857 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,857 – $34,836 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,836 – $39,175 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,175 – $42,243 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Dothan
The local job market for EMTs in Dothan employs around 100 individuals, providing a modest yet steady demand for services. With a cost-of-living index at 83.833, living expenses are comparatively lower than the national average, which could positively impact the purchasing power of EMTs. Among employers, municipal fire departments tend to offer the highest wages due to union contracts and comprehensive benefits, whereas private ambulance companies like AMR, GMR, and Falck often present lower compensation. The income disparity can also result from differing employer types; industrial or oil-field medics can command considerably higher pay, sometimes between $50 and $70 per hour. EMTs looking to maximize their earnings in this local market should consider pursuing additional certifications, shift differentials, and opportunities for overtime, particularly by transitioning to a paramedic status to enhance their professional profile.
More salary data for Dothan, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Dothan, AL in 2026?
Is Dothan, AL a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Dothan?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Dothan?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Dothan?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $32,920 for emergency medical techniciansin the Dothan metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov