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Wage Garnishment Limits in Washington

In Washington, for consumer debt the greater of 80% of disposable earnings or 35 times the state minimum wage per week is exempt, so at most 20% can be garnished.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Washington at a glance

Garnishment limit for consumer debt
Exempt: greater of 80% or 35x state minimum wage
Private student loan debt: greater of 85% or 50x the highest local minimum wage is exempt.
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
Yes
Stricter than federal limit
Yes
Head of household exemption
No

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Washington

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

Garnishment limit for consumer debt in Washington: Exempt: greater of 80% or 35x state minimum wage. Private student loan debt: greater of 85% or 50x the highest local minimum wage is exempt.

Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in Washington?

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

Does Washington protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?

Yes. Stricter than federal limit in Washington: yes.

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

No. Head of household exemption in Washington: no.

Where do the Washington wage garnishment limits come from?

The rules above come from Rev. Code Wash. 6.27.150. 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.