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Wage Garnishment Limits in California

California limits wage garnishment for consumer debt to the lesser of 20% of disposable earnings or 40% of the amount above 48 times the state or local minimum wage, a rule in effect since September 1, 2023.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

California at a glance

Garnishment limit for consumer debt
Lesser of 20% or 40% of amount above 48x minimum wage
Uses the local minimum wage where it is higher than the state rate. Operative September 1, 2023.
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
Yes
Stricter than federal limit
Yes
Head of household exemption
No

Sources

Last checked

The rules in California

How much of your wages can be garnished for consumer debt in California?

Garnishment limit for consumer debt in California: Lesser of 20% or 40% of amount above 48x minimum wage. Uses the local minimum wage where it is higher than the state rate. Operative September 1, 2023.

Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in California?

Yes. Garnishment allowed for consumer debt in California: yes.

Does California protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?

Yes. Stricter than federal limit in California: yes.

Does California give extra garnishment protection to a head of household?

No. Head of household exemption in California: no.

Where do the California wage garnishment limits come from?

The rules above come from Cal. Civ. Proc. Code 706.050. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The current formula became operative on September 1, 2023.

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.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.