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Best S&P 500 Dividend ETFs in 2026

ETFs that track the S&P 500 or its subsets while generating dividend income.

Data updated May 2026 · 30 ETFs

ETFs listed30
Avg yield2.71%
Avg expense ratio0.33%

Who this page is for

Best for

  • Investors wanting broad US large-cap exposure paired with steady income
  • Core positions in diversified taxable or retirement accounts
  • Long-term holders who prioritize simplicity, high liquidity, and low cost

Not a fit for

  • Investors needing higher current yield than the 1-2% natural S&P 500 dividend
  • Those seeking concentrated thematic or single-sector exposure
  • Speculative short-term traders

Analysis

This category spans S&P 500-oriented equity ETFs, ranging from pure index trackers to equal-weight and growth-tilted strategies. The dominant issuers among the funds shown above are Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street, which together control the largest share of assets, reflecting the long-standing institutional preference for low-cost, passive S&P 500 exposure. With 30 total funds and an average yield of 2.71%, the broader category likely includes higher-yielding dividend-focused strategies beyond the top 10 shown here — where growth-tilted and plain index funds keep yields modest.

  • VOO and IVV share the highest yield among the top 10 shown at 1.06%, both carrying an expense ratio of just 0.03%, making them among the most cost-efficient options in this group.
  • SPLG edges out slightly with the highest yield in the top 10 at 1.12% while matching SPYM's category-low expense ratio of 0.02%.
  • AUM concentration is striking: VOO alone holds $1,600.2B, nearly double IVV's $797.5B and more than 16x the assets of RSP.
  • RSP, the equal-weight alternative, delivers the highest yield among the non-growth funds shown at 1.55%, but at a higher cost of 0.20% — illustrating a yield-vs-cost tradeoff worth evaluating.
  • Growth-tilted funds IVW and SPYG yield just 0.38% and 0.48% respectively, underscoring how a growth tilt can significantly compress income.

Investors should be aware that the top 10 shown here skew toward broad index and growth funds, while the full 30-fund category average yield of 2.71% suggests meaningfully higher-yielding options exist further down the list. Market-cap concentration in the S&P 500 itself, interest rate sensitivity, and the tradeoff between income and total return are all key considerations for income-oriented investors evaluating this space.

AI-generated analysis — AI can make mistakes. Verify important information independently. Not investment advice. Learn more

Top picks

Top 3 S&P 500 dividend ETFs by assets under management.

Yield distribution

0-2%212-5%45-8%08-12%412%+1

Expense ratio distribution

0-0.20%150.20-0.50%50.50-0.75%50.75-1.00%5

Income projection

Estimated annual, monthly, and weekly income based on the average yield of 2.71% across these 30 ETFs. For illustration only—actual income will vary.

InvestmentAnnual incomeMonthly incomeWeekly income
$10,000$271$23$5
$25,000$678$56$13
$50,000$1,356$113$26
$100,000$2,711$226$52

Issuer breakdown

Distribution of ETFs by fund issuer. Larger issuers often offer lower expense ratios and higher liquidity.

State Street6
Vanguard5
Invesco4
First Trust4
BlackRock3
ProShares2
Innovator ETFs2
NEOS1

All 30 ETFs

Ticker Name Issuer Yield Expense ratio AUM Frequency
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETFVanguard1.06%0.03%$1600.2BQuarterly
VFIAXVanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral SharesVanguard1.05%0.04%$1533.2BQuarterly
IVViShares Core S&P 500 ETFBlackRock1.06%0.03%$797.5BQuarterly
SPYSPDR S&P 500 ETF TrustState Street1.00%0.09%$735.1BQuarterly
SPYMSPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETFState Street1.06%0.02%$117.7BQuarterly
SPLGSPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETFState Street1.12%0.02%$97.3BQuarterly
VXFVanguard Extended Market ETFVanguard1.07%0.05%$89.9BQuarterly
RSPInvesco S&P 500® Equal Weight ETFInvesco1.55%0.20%$86.4BQuarterly
IVWiShares S&P 500 Growth ETFBlackRock0.38%0.18%$70.3BQuarterly
SPYGState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETFState Street0.48%0.04%$49.5BQuarterly
IVEiShares S&P 500 Value ETFBlackRock1.50%0.18%$49.4BQuarterly
SPYVState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETFState Street1.70%0.04%$33.7BQuarterly
VOOGVanguard S&P 500 Growth ETFVanguard0.48%0.07%$24.2B
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETFInvesco0.73%0.13%$16.0BQuarterly
NOBLProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETFProShares2.05%0.35%$11.3BQuarterly
XLGInvesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETFInvesco0.62%0.20%$10.7BQuarterly
BUFRFT Vest Laddered Buffer ETFFirst Trust0.95%$9.3BAnnual
SPYINEOS S&P 500 High Income ETFNEOS12.09%0.68%$9.2BMonthly
SPYDSPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETFState Street4.22%0.07%$7.4BQuarterly
VOOVVanguard S&P 500 Value ETFVanguard1.72%0.07%$6.5B
UPROProShares UltraPro S&P500ProShares0.68%0.89%$4.7BQuarterly
GPIXGoldman Sachs S&P 500 Core Premium Income ETFGoldman Sachs8.30%0.29%$3.7BMonthly
KNGFT Vest S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Target Income ETFFirst Trust8.72%0.74%$3.4BMonthly
SPHDInvesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETFInvesco4.99%0.30%$3.3BMonthly
XYLDGlobal X S&P 500 Covered Call ETFGlobal X10.23%0.60%$3.1BMonthly
BALTInnovator Defined Wealth Shield ETFInnovator ETFs0.69%$2.4BQuarterly
FTHIFirst Trust BuyWrite Income ETFFirst Trust8.95%0.76%$2.2BMonthly
BUFDFT Vest Laddered Deep Buffer ETFFirst Trust0.95%$1.8BAnnual
PJANInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - JanuaryInnovator ETFs0.79%$1.6BAnnual
QDPLPacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETFPacer4.52%0.60%$1.6BQuarterly

Frequently asked questions

What are the best s&p 500 dividend ETFs?

This page lists the top 30 ETFs in this category ranked by key metrics. The list includes funds from issuers like Vanguard, BlackRock, State Street and more.

How often is this list updated?

The data on this page is refreshed regularly using the latest available distribution rates, expense ratios, and AUM figures. Last updated May 2026.

What is the average yield of these ETFs?

The average distribution yield across the 30 ETFs on this list is 2.71%. Individual yields range from 4.52% to 1.06%.

What's the difference between SPY, VOO, and IVV?

All three track the S&P 500 index and deliver nearly identical returns. The main differences are expense ratio (VOO and IVV at 0.03% vs SPY at 0.09%), fund structure (SPY is a unit investment trust), and trading volume (SPY is the most liquid ETF in the world). For long-term dividend investors, VOO or IVV are typically preferred for their lower costs.

Can I get higher yield from the S&P 500?

Yes. Covered call ETFs on the S&P 500 (like XYLD) boost yield by selling options on the index. Alternatively, dividend-weighted S&P 500 ETFs filter for only the highest-yielding constituents, offering yields of 3-5% from equity dividends alone.

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