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Wage Garnishment Limits in West Virginia

In West Virginia, a wage execution can take no more than 20% of salary or wages, and must leave the worker at least 50 times the federal minimum wage per week.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

West Virginia at a glance

Garnishment limit for consumer debt
Lesser of 20% or amount above 50x federal minimum wage
Garnishment allowed for consumer debt
Yes
Stricter than federal limit
Yes
Head of household exemption
No

Sources

Last checked

The rules in West Virginia

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

Garnishment limit for consumer debt in West Virginia: Lesser of 20% or amount above 50x federal minimum wage.

Can wages be garnished for ordinary consumer debt in West Virginia?

Yes. Garnishment allowed for consumer debt in West Virginia: yes.

Does West Virginia protect more wages from garnishment than federal law?

Yes. Stricter than federal limit in West Virginia: yes.

Does West Virginia give extra garnishment protection to a head of household?

No. Head of household exemption in West Virginia: no.

Where do the West Virginia wage garnishment limits come from?

The rules above come from W. Va. Code 38-5A-3. 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.