Quick Answer
Last verified:

Paychex pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $39 to $149 per month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.

Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.

  • Free tier: No free tier available
  • Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
  • Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Last verified: January 2026 | Sources: 5 pricing pages and reviews
+40-60% above list price

Hidden Costs Breakdown

1

Setup fees: $150-$500 for initial system configuration

2

Year-end processing: $2-5 per W-2 form

3

Tax filing fees: May apply for certain states or localities

4

Background checks: $30-100 per check depending on depth

5

Retirement services: Additional fees for 401(k) administration

6

Workers' comp insurance: Separate premium if bundled

Example: True Cost for 25 Users

License (25 × $79 × 12) $23,700/yr
Implementation (one-time) +$15,000–$50,000
Premium Support (20%) +$4,740/yr
Training (25 × $500) +$12,500
Admin (part-time) +$15,000–$25,000/yr
Year 1 Total $60,550–$97,920
That's 1.8–2.5× the advertised license price.

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What hidden costs should I budget for with Paychex?

Beyond the license fee, budget for implementation ($5K-$100K+), training ($500-$2K per user), premium support (15-20% of license), and admin costs. Most companies see 40-60% higher total cost than the listed price.

02 Does Paychex charge for implementation?

Paychex doesn't include implementation in the license cost. Implementation is typically done by partners and costs range from $5,000 for basic setup to $100,000+ for enterprise deployments with customization.

03 How much does Paychex support cost?

Basic support is included, but premium support (faster response times, 24/7 availability) typically adds 15-20% to your annual contract. This can be thousands of dollars per year for larger deployments.

04 Are there storage costs with Paychex?

Most Paychex plans include limited storage. Once you exceed the included amount, you'll pay overage fees which can range from $50-$500+ per month depending on data volume.

05 What add-ons cost extra with Paychex?

Many features marketed as part of Paychex are actually add-ons: advanced reporting, API access, integrations, and specialized modules. Each can add $10-$100+ per user per month.

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