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 30y
AME +7110.2%PAYX +945.0%AME compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$7,210$1,045
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 13

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePAYX(lower P/E)
GrowthAME(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePAYX(higher dividend yield)
QualityPAYX(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAMEPAYX
P/E ratio34.3122.21
Forward P/E25.7818.31
P/S ratio6.875.73
P/B ratio4.789.04
PEG ratio4.052.61
EV / EBITDA23.8813.96
FCF yield3.26%5.93%

Profitability

MetricAMEPAYX
Gross margin36.56%73.93%
Operating margin26.17%36.90%
Net margin20.11%25.84%
ROE13.99%40.78%
ROIC11.04%16.77%

Dividends

MetricAMEPAYX
Dividend yield0.42%4.40%
Payout ratio14.95%96.30%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAMEPAYX
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.

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.