
Paychex, Inc.
PAYXTechnology · Software - Application · Stock · quarterly payer
Forward Yield
4.03%
Annual Dividend
$4.76
Payout Ratio
90%
5-Yr Growth
11.2%
Ex-Date
Oct 26, 2026
Frequency
Quarterly
Key facts about PAYX's dividend
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 24, 2026, Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) has a forward dividend yield of 4.03%, based on an annual dividend of $4.76 per share and a share price of $118.04.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, PAYX's dividend safety grade from SmarterDividends is A (81 out of 100), which rates the dividend as very safe.
- By SmarterDividends' count, Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years as of Oct 24, 2026.
- PAYX has never cut its regular dividend in the payment history SmarterDividends has on record.
- PAYX's next ex-dividend date is Oct 26, 2026, with payment on Nov 25, 2026. Shares must be owned before that date to receive the dividend.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, PAYX pays out 90% of its trailing 12-month earnings as dividends (its payout ratio).
- PAYX's dividend has grown at an average rate of 11.2% a year over the past five years.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, PAYX's 4.03% yield is 45% above its five-year average yield of 2.79%.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, SmarterDividends' blended fair-value estimate for PAYX is $117.51 per share, 0% below the $118.04 share price, so PAYX screens as fairly valued.
- Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) pays its dividend quarterly, 4 times a year.
- Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) has raised its regular dividend 34 times and cut it 0 times across the 151 payments on record since 1988. Its most recent change was a 10.2% increase to $1.19 per share, going ex-dividend on May 13, 2026.
- Paychex (PAYX) has declared its first higher dividend of the year in April in 3 of the last 5 years; its most recent raise, 10.2%, was declared on May 1, 2026.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "PAYX Dividend: Yield, Safety Grade & Next Ex-Date," updated Oct 24, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/PAYX
Summary
As of Oct 24, 2026, Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) yields 4.03% ($4.76 a year per share), has a dividend safety grade of A (81/100) and has 15 consecutive years of dividend increases on record.
Is PAYX a good dividend stock?
YesPaychex, Inc. (PAYX) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 4.03% ($4.76/yr), with 15 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding.
Advantages
- 15 consecutive years of dividend growth
- Never cut its dividend on record
- Strong 11.2% 5-yr dividend growth
- Top-tier dividend safety score
Risks
- Elevated payout ratio (90%)
- Share price is down over the past 5 years
Key Data
- Dividend Yield
- 4.03%
- Payout Ratio
- 90%
- Annual Dividend
- $4.76
- 5-Yr Avg Growth
- 11.2%
- Ex-Dividend Date
- Oct 26, 2026
- Years of Growth
- 15
- Frequency
- quarterly
- Beta
- 0.85
- Market Cap
- $42.0B
- P/E Ratio
- 23.4
- 5-Yr Total Return
- -1%
- 52-Week Range
- $85.45 – $127.98
- Dividend Safety
- A · 81/100
- Ever Cut?
- No
PAYX dividend raises and cuts
Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) has raised its regular dividend 34 times and cut it 0 times across the 151 payments on record since 1988. Its most recent change was a 10.2% increase to $1.19 per share, going ex-dividend on May 13, 2026.
| Ex-date | Change | Old → new | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2026 | Raise | $1.08 → $1.19 | +10.2% |
| May 12, 2025 | Raise | $0.980 → $1.08 | +10.2% |
| May 9, 2024 | Raise | $0.890 → $0.980 | +10.1% |
| May 10, 2023 | Raise | $0.790 → $0.890 | +12.7% |
| May 11, 2022 | Raise | $0.660 → $0.790 | +19.7% |
| May 11, 2021 | Raise | $0.620 → $0.660 | +6.5% |
| May 14, 2019 | Raise | $0.560 → $0.620 | +10.7% |
| May 8, 2018 | Raise | $0.500 → $0.560 | +12.0% |
| Jul 28, 2017 | Raise | $0.460 → $0.500 | +8.7% |
| Jul 28, 2016 | Raise | $0.420 → $0.460 | +9.5% |
| Jul 30, 2015 | Raise | $0.380 → $0.420 | +10.5% |
| Jul 30, 2014 | Raise | $0.350 → $0.380 | +8.6% |
Show all 34 changes since 1989
| Ex-date | Change | Old → new | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2013 | Raise | $0.330 → $0.350 | +6.1% |
| Oct 31, 2012 | Raise | $0.320 → $0.330 | +3.1% |
| Oct 28, 2011 | Raise | $0.310 → $0.320 | +3.2% |
| Jul 30, 2008 | Raise | $0.300 → $0.310 | +3.3% |
| Jul 30, 2007 | Raise | $0.210 → $0.300 | +42.9% |
| Oct 30, 2006 | Raise | $0.160 → $0.210 | +31.2% |
| Oct 28, 2005 | Raise | $0.130 → $0.160 | +23.1% |
| Oct 28, 2004 | Raise | $0.120 → $0.130 | +8.3% |
| Oct 30, 2003 | Raise | $0.110 → $0.120 | +9.1% |
| Oct 30, 2001 | Raise | $0.0900 → $0.110 | +22.2% |
| Oct 30, 2000 | Raise | $0.0600 → $0.0900 | +50.0% |
| Oct 28, 1999 | Raise | $0.0400 → $0.0600 | +50.0% |
| Oct 29, 1998 | Raise | $0.0267 → $0.0400 | +50.0% |
| Oct 23, 1997 | Raise | $0.0178 → $0.0267 | +50.0% |
| Oct 24, 1996 | Raise | $0.0119 → $0.0178 | +50.0% |
| Oct 25, 1995 | Raise | $0.0079 → $0.0119 | +50.0% |
| Oct 24, 1994 | Raise | $0.0053 → $0.0079 | +50.0% |
| Oct 22, 1993 | Raise | $0.0035 → $0.0053 | +50.0% |
| Oct 19, 1992 | Raise | $0.0023 → $0.0035 | +50.0% |
| Oct 21, 1991 | Raise | $0.0020 → $0.0023 | +20.0% |
| Oct 22, 1990 | Raise | $0.0016 → $0.0020 | +25.0% |
| Oct 23, 1989 | Raise | $0.0012 → $0.0016 | +33.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PAYX a good dividend stock?
Yes. Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 4.03% ($4.76/yr), with 15 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding.
Is PAYX undervalued?
Based on a blend of discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings-multiple estimate, PAYX's fair value is about $117.51 versus a $118.04 share price — so it looks fairly valued (-0% vs. fair value).
Is PAYX's dividend safe?
PAYX has a dividend-safety grade of A (81/100), based on its payout coverage, free-cash-flow, 15-year growth streak, a clean no-cut history, debt and yield-versus-history.
What is PAYX's fair value?
Our blended fair-value estimate for PAYX is about $117.51 per share, about 0% below the current $118.04 price — combining a discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings multiple.
Is PAYX a buy, hold, or sell?
We don't issue formal ratings, but on the data PAYX screens as "yes" and fairly valued. Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 4.03% ($4.76/yr), with 15 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding. This is research for your own analysis, not investment advice.
Will PAYX cut its dividend?
PAYX earns a dividend-safety grade of A (81/100), with no dividend cut on record. A higher score means lower cut risk based on payout coverage, cash flow and history — but no score guarantees a dividend.
Does PAYX pay a dividend?
Yes. Paychex, Inc. pays a quarterly dividend of about $4.76 per share annually, a forward yield of roughly 4.03%.
What is PAYX's dividend yield?
As of Oct 24, 2026, PAYX's forward dividend yield is 4.03%, based on a $4.76 annual dividend and a $118.04 share price.
What is PAYX's dividend per share?
As of Oct 24, 2026, PAYX pays $4.76 per share per year, distributed on a quarterly basis.
What is PAYX's dividend payout ratio?
As of Oct 24, 2026, PAYX's payout ratio is 90% of trailing 12-month earnings — an elevated level worth watching, as it leaves less cushion if earnings dip.
How many years has PAYX grown its dividend?
As of Oct 24, 2026, PAYX has increased its dividend for 15 consecutive years.
When is the next PAYX ex-dividend date?
As of Oct 24, 2026, the next ex-dividend date on record for PAYX is Oct 26, 2026.
PAYX Price — Last 12 Months
Daily close
Price Return
1 Year
+6%
3 Years
-3%
5 Years
-1%
52-Week Range
$85.45 – $127.98
Price change over each period (excludes dividends). Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
What is PAYX worth?
Fairly valuedhigh confidenceOur blended fair-value estimate for Paychex, Inc. is $117.51 per share, versus a market price of $118.04. That implies the stock is roughly fairly priced.
Fair Value
$117.51
Current Price
$118.04
Gap
-0%
Margin of Safety
-0%
How we get there
Discounted cash flow
Discounts projected free cash flow back to today.
Dividend discount
Discounts the future dividend stream back to today.
Earnings multiple (Graham)
Graham's earnings-multiple formula, anchored to bond yields.
At today's price, the market is pricing in about 8.3% annual free-cash-flow growth. We model 8.5% — below our estimate, leaving room for upside if the business executes.
Assumptions: 8.5% discount rate (CAPM), 8.5% growth for five years fading to 2.5% over the next five, $5.04 EPS, $4.76 annual dividend. Updated weekly.
Fair-value estimates are model output for educational purposes only — not investment advice or a price target.
PAYX Dividend Safety Score
Very Safe
SmarterDividends' proprietary score, backtested against which dividends were actually cut over 15+ years (0.78 AUC). It blends a validated cut-risk model (growth streak, cut history) with current payout, cash-flow and debt. Higher is safer · not investment advice.
Dividend Growth
Total dividends per share by year
Dividend History
Full PAYX dividend history →| Ex-Date | Pay Date | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 2026 | Aug 28, 2026 | $1.1900 | regular |
| May 13, 2026 | May 29, 2026 | $1.1900 | regular |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Feb 27, 2026 | $1.0800 | regular |
| Nov 7, 2025 | Nov 26, 2025 | $1.0800 | regular |
| Jul 21, 2025 | Aug 29, 2025 | $1.0800 | regular |
| May 12, 2025 | May 29, 2025 | $1.0800 | regular |
| Feb 7, 2025 | Feb 27, 2025 | $0.9800 | regular |
| Nov 7, 2024 | Nov 27, 2024 | $0.9800 | regular |
| Aug 8, 2024 | Aug 29, 2024 | $0.9800 | regular |
| May 9, 2024 | May 30, 2024 | $0.9800 | regular |
| Feb 12, 2024 | Feb 27, 2024 | $0.8900 | regular |
| Nov 13, 2023 | Nov 28, 2023 | $0.8900 | regular |
| Aug 9, 2023 | Aug 24, 2023 | $0.8900 | regular |
| May 10, 2023 | May 25, 2023 | $0.8900 | regular |
Income Calculator
At $4.76 / yr per share
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