AMETEK, Inc. (AME) vs Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)
PAYX leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of AMETEK, Inc. and Paychex, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AME vs PAYX
growth of $100 · last 30yAME +7110.2%PAYX +945.0%AME compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AME PAYX
AME vs PAYX: by the numbers
- •AME is the larger company ($52.06B vs $36.05B market cap).
- •PAYX trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.21 vs 34.31 P/E).
- •PAYX converts more revenue to profit (25.84% vs 20.11% net margin).
- •AME grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.78% vs 9.95% CAGR).
- •PAYX pays the higher dividend yield (4.40% vs 0.42%).
Which is better, AME or PAYX?
Metric tally: AME 4 · PAYX 13It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValuePAYX(lower P/E)
GrowthAME(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePAYX(higher dividend yield)
QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AME | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.31 | 22.21● |
| Forward P/E | 25.78 | 18.31● |
| P/S ratio | 6.87 | 5.73● |
| P/B ratio | 4.78● | 9.04 |
| PEG ratio | 4.05 | 2.61● |
| EV / EBITDA | 23.88 | 13.96● |
| FCF yield | 3.26% | 5.93%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AME | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 36.56% | 73.93%● |
| Operating margin | 26.17% | 36.90%● |
| Net margin | 20.11% | 25.84%● |
| ROE | 13.99% | 40.78%● |
| ROIC | 11.04% | 16.77%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AME | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.42% | 4.40%● |
| Payout ratio | 14.95% | 96.30% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AME | PAYX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.78%● | 9.95% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.06%● | 8.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.90% | 13.61%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.51%● | 2.18% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AME or PAYX?
- It depends on your goal. value: PAYX (lower P/E); growth: AME (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PAYX (higher dividend yield); quality: PAYX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PAYX leads 13 to 4.
- Is AME or PAYX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, PAYX is cheaper: AME trades at a 34.31 P/E and PAYX at 22.21.
- Which has grown faster, AME or PAYX?
- Over the past five years, AME grew revenue faster — AME at a 10.78% CAGR versus PAYX at 9.95%.
- Does AME or PAYX pay a bigger dividend?
- AME yields 0.42% and PAYX yields 4.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AME or PAYX more profitable?
- PAYX runs the higher net margin — AME at 20.11% versus PAYX at 25.84%.
- Which has been the better investment, AME or PAYX?
- Over the past 10-year, AME delivered the higher annualized total return — AME at 17.52% versus PAYX at 9.63%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AMETEK P/E ratioPaychex P/E ratioAMETEK dividend yieldPaychex dividend yieldAMETEK ROEPaychex ROEAMETEK operating marginPaychex operating marginAMETEK revenue growthPaychex revenue growthAMETEK free cash flowPaychex free cash flow
AMETEK & Paychex appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.