<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><own:edgarSubmission xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common" xmlns:own="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership">
  <!-- Generated by Workiva -->
  <own:headerData>
    <own:submissionType>144</own:submissionType>
    <own:filerInfo>
      <own:filer>
        <own:filerCredentials>
          <own:cik>0002032738</own:cik>
          <own:ccc>XXXXXXXX</own:ccc>
        </own:filerCredentials>
      </own:filer>
      <own:liveTestFlag>LIVE</own:liveTestFlag>



    </own:filerInfo>
  </own:headerData>
  <own:formData>
    <own:issuerInfo>
      <own:issuerCik>0000723531</own:issuerCik>
      <own:issuerName>Paychex INC</own:issuerName>
      <own:secFileNumber>000-11330</own:secFileNumber>
      <own:issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>911 Panorama Trail S</com:street1>
        <com:city>Rochester</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>NY</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>14625-0397</com:zipCode>
      </own:issuerAddress>
      <own:issuerContactPhone>5853856666</own:issuerContactPhone>
      <own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>Mucci Family Foundation</own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <own:relationshipsToIssuer>
        <own:relationshipToIssuer>Director</own:relationshipToIssuer>
      </own:relationshipsToIssuer>
    </own:issuerInfo>
    <own:securitiesInformation>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common shares</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <own:name>Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &amp; Smith Incorporated</own:name>
        <own:address>
          <com:street1>9128 Strada Place</com:street1>
          <com:street2>STE 301</com:street2>
          <com:city>Naples</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>FL</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>34108</com:zipCode>
        </own:address>
      </own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <own:noOfUnitsSold>9309</own:noOfUnitsSold>
      <own:aggregateMarketValue>1061057.32</own:aggregateMarketValue>
      <own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>358290881</own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <own:approxSaleDate>07/17/2026</own:approxSaleDate>
      <own:securitiesExchangeName>Nasdaq</own:securitiesExchangeName>
    </own:securitiesInformation>
    <own:securitiesToBeSold>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:acquiredDate>07/16/2026</own:acquiredDate>
      <own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Gift</own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <own:isGiftTransaction>Y</own:isGiftTransaction>
      <own:donarAcquiredDate>07/09/2015</own:donarAcquiredDate>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>2917</own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <own:natureOfPayment>N/A</own:natureOfPayment>
    </own:securitiesToBeSold>
    <own:securitiesToBeSold>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:acquiredDate>07/16/2026</own:acquiredDate>
      <own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Gift</own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <own:isGiftTransaction>Y</own:isGiftTransaction>
      <own:donarAcquiredDate>07/10/2015</own:donarAcquiredDate>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>3292</own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <own:natureOfPayment>N/A</own:natureOfPayment>
    </own:securitiesToBeSold>
    <own:securitiesToBeSold>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:acquiredDate>07/16/2026</own:acquiredDate>
      <own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Gift</own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <own:isGiftTransaction>Y</own:isGiftTransaction>
      <own:donarAcquiredDate>07/09/2014</own:donarAcquiredDate>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>3100</own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <own:natureOfPayment>N/A</own:natureOfPayment>
    </own:securitiesToBeSold>
    <own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <own:noticeSignature>
      <own:noticeDate>07/17/2026</own:noticeDate>
      <own:signature>Martin Mucci</own:signature>
    </own:noticeSignature>
  </own:formData>
</own:edgarSubmission>
