Teacher Salary

Dothan vs Mobile: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Dothan, AL and Mobile, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dothan, AL
$61,547
$29.59/hr
Mobile, AL
$61,568
$29.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDothan, ALMobile, AL
Median Salary$61,547$61,568
Hourly Rate$29.59$29.60
Entry Level (P10)$46,107$47,966
25th Percentile$49,450$48,854
75th Percentile$61,951$62,991
Top Earner (P90)$72,524$73,766
Total EmployedN/AN/A
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dothan ($61,547) and Mobile ($61,568) elementary school teacher salaries.DothanMobileMedian Salary$61,547$61,568Entry Level (P10)$46,107$47,966Top Earner (P90)$72,524$73,766US Median $64,597

Verdict

Mobile, AL offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Dothan.

The salary gap between Dothan and Mobile is $21 (0.03%). Mobile's median is -4.69% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dothan spans $26,417,Mobile spans $25,800. Dothan has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dothan
P10 (Entry)$46,107
P25$49,450
Median$61,547
P75$61,951
P90 (Top)$72,524
Mobile
P10 (Entry)$47,966
P25$48,854
Median$61,568
P75$62,991
P90 (Top)$73,766

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dothan ($73,416 effective) pays 5.05% more than Mobile ($69,886 effective).

Dothan
Nominal: $61,547
CoL Index: 83.833
Adjusted: $73,416
Mobile
Nominal: $61,568
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $69,886

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dothan if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,416)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,568/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($73,766)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Dothan grew 25.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.9% growth in Mobile over the same period.

Dothan, AL

+25.4%

$48,600 (2019) → $60,950 (2025)

Mobile, AL

+26.9%

$48,050 (2019) → $60,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Dothan or Mobile?

Mobile has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $61,568/year, compared to Dothan at $61,547/year — a difference of $21 (0.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dothan and Mobile?

Dothan elementary school teachers earn $29.59/hr while Mobile hygienists earn $29.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dothan to Mobile as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dothan and Mobile. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dothan = $73,416, Mobile = $69,886), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Dothan vs Mobile?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $46,107 in Dothan and $47,966 in Mobile. The Mobile area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov