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Wage Garnishment Limits in Maryland

Maryland exempts the greater of 75% of disposable wages or 30 times the Maryland minimum hourly wage per week, plus any medical insurance payment deducted from pay.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Maryland at a glance

Garnishment limit for consumer debt
Exempt: greater of 75% or 30x state minimum wage
Medical insurance payments deducted from wages are also exempt. The amount is figured per pay period.
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
Yes
Stricter than federal limit
Yes
Head of household exemption
No

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Maryland

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

Garnishment limit for consumer debt in Maryland: Exempt: greater of 75% or 30x state minimum wage. Medical insurance payments deducted from wages are also exempt. The amount is figured per pay period.

Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in Maryland?

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

Does Maryland protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?

Yes. Stricter than federal limit in Maryland: yes.

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

No. Head of household exemption in Maryland: no.

Where do the Maryland wage garnishment limits come from?

The rules above come from Md. Code, Com. Law 15-601.1. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

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.