In this study, an amperometric dopamine sensor based on carbon nanofibers (CNF), Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4NP), and silver nanoparticles (AgNP) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed. In order to determine the optimum surface composition, the effects of CNF amount, Fe3O4 amount and the electrodeposition step of AgNP were investigated. Optimum experimental parameters such as working potential and pH of test solution were also explored. The morphological and electrochemical properties of the AgNP/CNF − Fe3O4NP/GCE were studied using scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. The AgNP/CNF − Fe3O4NP/GCE showed linear response to dopamine between 2.0 × 10−7 and 5.5 × 10−4 M with a detection limit of 1.8 × 10−7 M and sensitivity of 37.24 μA mM−1. Analytical performance characteristics such as reproducibility, reusability, and selectivity were also investigated for the presented dopamine sensor. The sensor was successfully applied to the detection of dopamine in dopamine hydrochloride injection samples using the standard addition method and good recoveries were obtained.