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Wage Garnishment Limits in New Jersey

New Jersey limits a wage execution to 10% of income, unless the debtor's income exceeds 250% of the federal poverty level for the family size, in which case a court may order more.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

New Jersey at a glance

Garnishment limit for consumer debt
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.
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
Yes
Stricter than federal limit
Yes
Head of household exemption
No

Sources

Last checked

The rules in New Jersey

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

Garnishment limit for consumer debt in New 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.

Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in New Jersey?

Yes. Garnishment allowed for consumer debt in New Jersey: yes.

Does New Jersey protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?

Yes. Stricter than federal limit in New Jersey: yes.

Does New Jersey give extra garnishment protection to a head of household?

No. Head of household exemption in New Jersey: no.

Where do the New Jersey wage garnishment limits come from?

The rules above come from N.J. Stat. 2A:17-56. 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.