Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) Operating Margin: 36.90%
Is Paychex, Inc.’s operating margin high or low?
Paychex, Inc.'s operating margin of 36.90% is in line with its 5-year average of 38.91%, near the low end of its 5-year range (36.01%–41.19%).
The operating margin for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) is 36.90% as of Wednesday, June 10, 2026. It is below its 12-month average by 8.67% (40.41%).
PAYX Operating Margin Chart
PAYX Average Operating Margin Chart
PAYX Current vs Average Operating Margin Chart
PAYX Operating Margin Metrics
OPERATING MARGIN
36.90%
OPERATING MARGIN AVG TTM
40.41%
OPERATING MARGIN AVG 3Y
40.33%
OPERATING MARGIN AVG 5Y
38.91%
OPERATING MARGIN AVG 10Y
38.59%
OPERATING MARGIN AVG 15Y
38.42%
OPERATING MARGIN AVG 20Y
38.40%
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
-8.67%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
-8.50%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
-5.17%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
-4.39%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
-3.95%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
-3.90%
PAYX Competitors' Operating Margin
| NAME | MARKET CAP | OPERATING MARGIN | TTM | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) | — | 36.90% | 40.41% | 40.33% | 38.91% |
| Dover Corporation (DOV) | $29.23B | 16.70% | 16.27% | 16.18% | 15.81% |
| Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) | $43.53B | 16.10% | 16.11% | 14.35% | 13.08% |
| Xylem Inc. (XYL) | $25.76B | 13.60% | 12.66% | 11.36% | 10.70% |
| Hubbell Incorporated (HUBB) | $25.71B | 20.77% | 20.11% | 18.47% | 16.67% |
| Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) | $48.96B | 24.57% | 25.66% | 27.17% | 26.29% |
| Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK) | $49.11B | 19.08% | 16.18% | 17.07% | 15.99% |
| AMETEK, Inc. (AME) | $51.06B | 26.17% | 25.89% | 25.52% | 24.72% |
| Fastenal Company (FAST) | $52.90B | 20.25% | 20.10% | 20.46% | 20.38% |
| Fortive Corporation (FTV) | $18.62B | 17.73% | 18.27% | 18.13% | 17.06% |
Operating Efficiency
Gross Margin
73.9%
Operating Margin
36.9%
Paychex, Inc. Operating Margin Formula & Definition
Operating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue
Operating margin is the percentage of revenue remaining after operating expenses, reflecting operating efficiency.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
Paychex, Inc. Operating Margin FAQ
- What is the operating margin for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)?
- The operating margin for PAYX stock is 36.90%.
- Is Paychex, Inc.'s operating margin high or low?
- Paychex, Inc.'s operating margin of 36.90% is in line with its 5-year average of 38.91%, near the low end of its 5-year range (36.01%–41.19%).
- What is the TTM average operating margin for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)?
- The TTM average operating margin for PAYX stock is 40.41%.
- What is the 3Y average operating margin for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)?
- The 3Y average operating margin for PAYX stock is 40.33%.
- What is the 5Y average operating margin for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)?
- The 5Y average operating margin for PAYX stock is 38.91%.
- What is the 10Y average operating margin for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)?
- The 10Y average operating margin for PAYX stock is 38.59%.
- What is the 15Y average operating margin for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)?
- The 15Y average operating margin for PAYX stock is 38.42%.
- What is the 20Y average operating margin for Paychex, Inc. (PAYX)?
- The 20Y average operating margin for PAYX stock is 38.40%.
Paychex, Inc. Operating Margin History
| DATE | OPERATING MARGIN |
|---|---|
| 2025-05-31 | 39.62% |
| 2024-05-31 | 41.19% |
| 2023-05-31 | 40.60% |
| 2022-05-31 | 39.90% |
| 2021-05-31 | 36.01% |
| 2020-05-31 | 36.15% |
| 2019-05-31 | 36.35% |
| 2018-05-31 | 38.08% |
| 2017-05-31 | 39.34% |
| 2016-05-31 | 38.84% |
| 2015-05-31 | 38.46% |
| 2014-05-31 | 39.01% |
| 2013-05-31 | 38.90% |
| 2012-05-31 | 38.29% |
| 2011-05-31 | 37.73% |
| 2010-05-31 | 36.22% |
| 2009-05-31 | 38.66% |
| 2008-05-31 | 40.08% |
| 2007-05-31 | 37.18% |
| 2006-05-31 | 38.80% |
| 2005-05-31 | 36.94% |
| 2004-05-31 | 33.48% |
| 2003-05-31 | 38.34% |
| 2002-05-31 | 38.09% |
| 2001-05-31 | 38.71% |
| 2000-05-31 | 35.56% |
| 1999-05-31 | 15.95% |
| 1998-05-31 | 13.55% |
| 1997-05-31 | 13.15% |
| 1996-05-31 | 20.75% |
Related Metrics
About Paychex, Inc.
Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Rochester, New York, Paychex, Inc. delivers comprehensive human capital management (HCM) solutions. The company primarily serves small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the United States, Europe, and India, addressing their needs in human resources, payroll administration, employee benefits, and insurance. Its diverse service portfolio includes: Payroll Management: Encompassing core payroll processing, payroll tax administration, employee payment facilitation, and ensuring compliance with regulations like new-hire reporting and garnishment processing. Human Resources Solutions: Providing support for employer compliance, HR and employee benefits administration, risk management outsourcing, and even the availability of professionally trained on-site HR representatives. Retirement Services: Offering full administration for retirement plans, which covers implementation, ongoing adherence to government regulations, reporting for both participants and employers, online access capabilities, electronic funds transfers, and other administrative tasks. Cloud-based HR Software: A suite of software products designed for efficient HR administration, including tools for benefits management, time and attendance tracking, digital communication, recruitment, and onboarding processes. Additional Business Services: This category features plan administration outsourcing, state unemployment insurance services, and various support functions for SMBs such as payroll funding and outsourcing (including payroll processing, invoicing, and tax preparation), payment processing solutions, financial wellness programs, and a resource center for small business loans. Insurance Offerings: Providing both property and casualty coverage, which includes workers' compensation, business-owner policies, cybersecurity protection, and commercial auto insurance, alongside health and benefits coverage like medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Paychex primarily distributes its services through its dedicated direct sales team.
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Staffing & Employment Services
- CEO
- John Gibson Jr.