Skip to content
Oakclause

Wage Garnishment Limits in Minnesota

Minnesota uses a sliding scale: 10%, 15% or 25% of disposable earnings depending on weekly income, and never more than the amount above 40 times the higher of the state or federal minimum wage.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Minnesota at a glance

Garnishment limit for consumer debt
10%, 15% or 25% by income, only above 40x minimum wage
25% only if weekly income exceeds 80 times the minimum wage, 15% above 60 times, 10% above 40 times.
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
Yes
Stricter than federal limit
Yes
Head of household exemption
No

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Minnesota

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

Garnishment limit for consumer debt in Minnesota: 10%, 15% or 25% by income, only above 40x minimum wage. 25% only if weekly income exceeds 80 times the minimum wage, 15% above 60 times, 10% above 40 times.

Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in Minnesota?

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

Does Minnesota protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?

Yes. Stricter than federal limit in Minnesota: yes.

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

No. Head of household exemption in Minnesota: no.

Where do the Minnesota wage garnishment limits come from?

The rules above come from Minn. Stat. 571.922. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The section was amended in 2024 (Laws 2024, ch. 110 and ch. 114) and again in the 2025 first special session (ch. 4). The 40 times minimum wage floor uses the greater of the Minnesota wage in section 177.24 or the federal minimum wage.

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.