Wage Garnishment Limits by State
Wage garnishment is a court order that requires an employer to hold back part of a worker's pay and send it to a creditor. For ordinary consumer debts, such as credit cards, medical bills or personal loans, a creditor usually needs to sue, win a judgment and then ask the court for a garnishment order before any pay can be taken.
50 states and DC compared. Last checked .
At a glance
- Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
- 48 of 51
- States and DC where the answer is yes or yes in some cases.
- Stricter than federal limit
- 39 of 51
- States and DC where the answer is yes or yes in some cases.
- Head of household exemption
- 10 of 50
- States and DC where the answer is yes or yes in some cases.
Compare wage garnishment limits
Federal law sets a ceiling: for consumer debt, garnishment cannot take more than 25 percent of disposable earnings, or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less. States can protect more pay than that, and some do not allow wage garnishment for most consumer debts at all. This guide compares each state's rule and links it to the statute.
51 of 51 shown
| Garnishment limit for consumer debt | Sources | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALAlabama | Lesser of 25% or amount above 30x federal minimum wageAla. Code 6-10-7 also exempts 75% of wages; consumer loan, credit sale and lease debts follow Ala. Code 5-19-15. | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No | |
| AKAlaska | First $473 a week exempt (or 75% if more)The $473 figure is set by 8 AAC 95.030, which adjusts the $350 amount in Alaska Stat. 09.38.030(a). Federal limits apply to nonresidents. | Yes | Yes | Yes, $743 a week | |
| AZArizona | Lesser of 10% or amount above 60x minimum wageThe minimum wage used is the highest of the federal, state or local rate. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| ARArkansas | Federal limit; first $25 a week of net wages exemptA worker who files a sworn claim can protect up to 60 days of wages within the constitutional personal property exemption. | Yes | Only with a sworn exemption claim | Indirectly, via a higher constitutional cap | |
| CACalifornia | Lesser of 20% or 40% of amount above 48x minimum wageUses the local minimum wage where it is higher than the state rate. Operative September 1, 2023. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| COColorado | Lesser of 20% or amount above 40x minimum wageDisposable earnings also exclude health insurance withheld by the employer. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| CTConnecticut | Lesser of 25% or amount above 40x minimum wageUses the higher of the federal or Connecticut minimum wage. A wage execution requires an installment payment order first. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| DEDelaware | Exempt: 85% of wagesApplies to Delaware residents. Only one attachment may be made on any amount of wages due. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| DCDistrict of Columbia | 25% of disposable wages above 40x DC minimum wageOnly one wage attachment may be satisfied at a time. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| FLFlorida | Head of family: $750 a week exempt; others: federal limitA head of family provides more than half the support of a child or other dependent. | Yes, except most head of family pay | Only for heads of family | Yes | |
| GAGeorgia | Lesser of 25% or amount above $217.50 a weekJudgments from private student loans are capped at 15%. | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No | |
| HIHawaii | 5% of first $100, 10% of next $100, 20% of rest (monthly)Applied to wages after amounts required by law to be withheld, or a weekly equivalent. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| IDIdaho | Lesser of 25% or amount above 30x federal minimum wage | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No | |
| ILIllinois | Lesser of 15% of gross pay or amount above 45x minimum wageUses the higher of the federal or Illinois minimum wage. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| INIndiana | Lesser of 25% or amount above 30x federal minimum wageOn a showing of good cause the court can reduce the 25% to between 10 and 25%. | Yes | Only if a court reduces it | No | |
| IAIowa | Federal limit plus yearly cap per creditor ($250 to 10%)Yearly caps: $250, $400, $800, $1,500, $2,000, or 10% of expected earnings, by income band. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| KSKansas | Lesser of 25% or amount above 30x federal minimum wageOne creditor may issue only one garnishment against the same debtor in any 30 day period. | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No | |
| KYKentucky | Lesser of 25% or amount above 30x federal minimum wageSame formula as federal law. Support orders are not subject to this limit. | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No | |
| LALouisiana | Exempt: greater of 75% or 30x federal minimum wageDisposable earnings also subtract certain retirement, medical insurance and life insurance deductions already being taken when the garnishment is served. | Yes | Yes, slightly (more deductions excluded) | No | |
| MEMaine | Lesser of 25% or amount above 40x minimum wageWithholding is ordered through an installment payment order after a disclosure hearing. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| MDMaryland | Exempt: greater of 75% or 30x state minimum wageMedical insurance payments deducted from wages are also exempt. The amount is figured per pay period. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| MAMassachusetts | Exempt: greater of 85% of gross or 50x minimum wageUses the higher of the federal or Massachusetts hourly minimum wage, per week. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| MIMichigan | Lesser of 25% or amount above 30x federal minimum wageThe state court garnishee disclosure form applies the two federal tests under 15 USC 1673 and MCR 3.101. | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No | |
| MNMinnesota | 10%, 15% or 25% by income, only above 40x minimum wage25% only if weekly income exceeds 80 times the minimum wage, 15% above 60 times, 10% above 40 times. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| MSMississippi | Fully exempt for 30 days, then federal limitAfter the 30 days, the lesser of 25% or the excess over 30 times the federal minimum wage applies. | Yes | Yes, 30 day full exemption | No | |
| MOMissouri | Federal limit; 10% for head of familyFederal limit is the lesser of 25% or the amount above 30x the federal minimum wage. The 10% cap applies only to Missouri residents who are head of a family. | Yes | Only for heads of family | Yes, 10% cap | |
| MTMontana | Lesser of 25% or amount above 30x federal minimum wageSame formula as federal law. Support orders follow separate limits. | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No | |
| NENebraska | Federal limit; 15% for head of familyFederal limit is the lesser of 25% or the amount above 30x the federal minimum wage. A head of family is someone who actually supports a relative or dependent. | Yes | Only for heads of family | Yes, 15% cap | |
| NVNevada | 18% or 25% (by pay); only above 50x federal minimum wageWhichever of the percentage cap or the excess over 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage is less applies. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| NHNew Hampshire | Exempt: 50x federal minimum wage a week; judgment requiredWages earned before the writ are exempt except in actions on a New Hampshire court judgment. Wages for work after service of the writ are exempt. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| NJNew Jersey | 10% of income (more if over 250% of poverty level)The poverty level test takes family size into account. If income exceeds 250% of the poverty level, the court may order a larger percentage. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| NMNew Mexico | Exempt: greater of 75% or 40x highest minimum wageThe highest applicable minimum wage can be a federal, state or local rate where the wages were earned. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| NYNew York | Lesser of 10% of gross or 25% of disposable; 30x wage floorNothing is withheld unless weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the greater of the federal or New York minimum wage. No income execution on certain medical debt judgments. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| NCNorth Carolina | Last 60 days of earnings protected if needed for familyApplies to court orders applying a debtor's property to a judgment. Taxes, child support and some government debts follow other rules. | Not when pay supports a family | Yes | Yes | |
| NDNorth Dakota | Lesser of 25% or amount above 40x federal minimum wageThe weekly maximum is reduced by $20 for each dependent family member living with the debtor. | Yes | Yes, 40x minimum wage floor | Yes, $20 a week per dependent | |
| OHOhio | Exempt: greater of 75% or 30x federal minimum wageExempt amount is the greater of 75% of disposable earnings or 30, 60, 65 or 130 times the federal minimum wage for weekly, biweekly, semimonthly or monthly pay. | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No | |
| OKOklahoma | Exempt: 75% of earningsFederal law's 30x minimum wage floor still applies where it protects more. | Yes | No, matches federal limit | Only via a hardship claim for those supporting family | |
| OROregon | Exempt: greater of 75% or $400 a weekWeekly floor is $400 for wages payable July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; from July 1, 2027 it is 30x the Oregon minimum wage. | Yes | Yes, higher protected floor | No | |
| PAPennsylvania | Wages exempt for most consumer debtLandlord judgments from a residential lease can take up to 10% of net wages per pay period, or less if needed to keep income above the federal poverty guidelines. | No, except listed debts | Yes | No, wages already exempt | |
| RIRhode Island | Federal limit; first $50 of wages exemptWages are fully exempt for one year after the debtor stops receiving public relief. | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No | |
| SCSouth Carolina | No wage garnishment for consumer credit debtsApplies to consumer credit sales, leases, loans and rental-purchase agreements. | No | Yes | Not listed | |
| SDSouth Dakota | Lesser of 20% or amount above 40x minimum wageUses the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is greater, and subtracts $25 a week per dependent. | Yes | Yes | Yes, $25 a week per dependent | |
| TNTennessee | Lesser of 25% or amount above 30x federal minimum wagePlus $2.50 per week exempt for each resident dependent child under 16. | Yes | Yes, slightly ($2.50 per child) | Yes, $2.50 a week per child under 16 | |
| TXTexas | Current wages exempt from garnishmentExceptions: court-ordered child support and spousal maintenance. | No | Yes | No, wages already exempt | |
| UTUtah | Lesser of 25% or amount above 30x federal minimum wageLimit is 15% of disposable earnings if the judgment relates to a qualifying education loan. | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No | |
| VTVermont | Exempt: greater of 85% or 40x federal minimum wageApplies to consumer credit debts. Other judgment debts: 75% or 30x federal minimum wage exempt. Recent public assistance recipients are fully protected. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| VAVirginia | Lesser of 25% or amount above 40x minimum wageUses the federal or Virginia minimum wage, whichever is greater. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| WAWashington | Exempt: greater of 80% or 35x state minimum wagePrivate student loan debt: greater of 85% or 50x the highest local minimum wage is exempt. | Yes | Yes | No | |
| WVWest Virginia | Lesser of 20% or amount above 50x federal minimum wage | Yes | Yes | No | |
| WIWisconsin | Exempt: 80%; fully exempt below poverty lineIf garnishing 20% would push household income below the poverty line, garnishment is limited to income above that line. | Yes | Yes | No, poverty line exemption instead | |
| WYWyoming | Lesser of 25% or amount above 30x federal minimum wage | Yes | No, matches federal limit | No |
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
What this means in practice
Disposable earnings are what remains after deductions the law requires, such as income tax, Social Security and required withholding. Voluntary deductions like health insurance or retirement contributions are usually not subtracted, so the protected amount is often less than take home pay suggests.
The limits in this guide apply to ordinary consumer debt. Child support, alimony, federal and state taxes, and federal student loans follow separate rules that often allow a larger share of pay to be taken, even in states with strict limits for other debts.
Exemptions are often not applied automatically. A worker may need to file a claim of exemption with the court within a short deadline after receiving notice of the garnishment. Reading the notice promptly, and talking with the creditor about a payment plan or settlement, can keep more of each paycheck.
Wage Garnishment Limits: state by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently asked questions
How much of my paycheck can be garnished for consumer debt?
Federal law caps garnishment for consumer debt at the lesser of 25 percent of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. Where a state law protects more pay, the stricter state rule applies.
Can a creditor garnish my wages without going to court?
For ordinary consumer debts, a private creditor generally needs a court judgment and a garnishment order first. Government agencies collecting taxes, federal student loans or child support can use administrative garnishment in some cases without a separate lawsuit.
What is a head of household exemption?
Some states protect more of a worker's pay, or all of it, when the worker supports a family or dependents. The definition of head of household and the size of the extra protection vary, and the worker usually has to claim it.
Can I be fired because my wages are garnished?
Federal law bars an employer from firing a worker because of garnishment for any one debt. That protection does not extend to garnishments for two or more separate debts, though some states add their own protections.
Do these limits apply to child support or taxes?
Usually not. Child support, alimony, tax debts and federal student loans have separate garnishment rules, and the share of pay that can be taken for them is often higher than for consumer debt.
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt: which states say yes?
Of the 51 jurisdictions we checked, the answer is yes in 47 jurisdictions, in some cases in 1, no in 3. Yes: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In some cases: North Carolina.
Stricter than federal limit: which states say yes?
Of the 51 jurisdictions we checked, the answer is yes in 34 jurisdictions, in some cases in 5, no in 12. Yes: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. In some cases: Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Missouri and Nebraska.
Head of household exemption: which states say yes?
Of the 50 jurisdictions we checked, the answer is yes in 8 jurisdictions, in some cases in 2, no in 40. Yes: Alaska, Florida, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota and Tennessee. In some cases: Arkansas and Oklahoma.