Wage Garnishment Limits by State (2026)
How much of your paycheck creditors can garnish for ordinary debts in each state and DC.
| State | Wage garnishment limit |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 75% of wages are exempt from garnishment for ordinary debts, so no more than 25% can be withheld. For debts from a consumer credit transaction (consumer loans and credit sales), garnishment is limited to the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage, and wages cannot be garnished before judgment. Ala. Code § 6-10-7; § 5-19-15 |
| Alaska | For a person paid weekly, twice a month or monthly, the protected amount is $473 per week or 75% of weekly disposable earnings, whichever is more. It can be raised to $743 per week if the debtor files an affidavit that their earnings alone support the household. Different limits apply to judgments for child support, employee wages, state taxes and some other debts. AS 09.38.030(a), 09.38.050(b); 8 AAC 95.030; Alaska Court System Judgment Debtor Booklet, CIV-511 (8/26) |
| Arizona | For ordinary consumer debts, no more than the lesser of 10% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 60 times the highest applicable federal, state or local minimum hourly wage. This is stricter than the federal limit. The court may reduce the amount further on clear and convincing evidence of extreme economic hardship. Support orders and tax debts follow different rules. A.R.S. § 33-1131(B)-(D); Arizona Judicial Branch, Proposition 209 Information Sheet |
| Arkansas | The first $25 per week of net wages is always exempt. A worker may also claim up to 60 days' wages as exempt by filing a sworn statement that the wages, together with other personal property, do not exceed the constitutional personal property exemption ($500 for a married person or head of family, $200 for others). The federal limit (no more than 25% of disposable earnings) also applies. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-66-208; Ark. Const. art. 9, §§ 1-2 (as listed in § 16-66-218(b)); Arkansas Attorney General, Guide to Small Claims Court |
| California | The lesser of 20% of weekly disposable earnings, or 40% of the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 48 times the state minimum hourly wage (or the local minimum wage if higher where the debtor works). This is stricter than the federal limit. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 706.050 |
| Colorado | For ordinary debts, the most that can be garnished each week is the lesser of 20% of disposable earnings, or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 40 times the federal minimum wage, or 40 times the Colorado minimum wage. This is stricter than the federal limit. A debtor can also file a written objection and ask the court to protect more of their pay if the remaining income does not cover actual, necessary living expenses. C.R.S. § 13-54-104(2)(a)(I) |
| Connecticut | The lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings, or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 40 times the higher of the federal or Connecticut minimum hourly wage. Because Connecticut's minimum wage is higher than the federal one, this protects more pay than the federal 30x rule. A wage execution is available only after the debtor fails to follow a court installment payment order. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-361a(a), (f) |
| Delaware | 85% of wages are exempt from attachment, so no more than 15% can be taken, which is stricter than the federal 25% limit. Only one wage attachment may be in effect at a time; the first creditor has priority until its judgment is paid. The 85% protection does not apply to collection of state fines, costs or taxes. 10 Del. C. § 4913 |
| District of Columbia | A wage attachment can take only 25% of the amount by which weekly disposable wages exceed 40 times the D.C. minimum hourly wage. Only one wage attachment can be satisfied at a time, and wages cannot be garnished before a judgment. D.C. Code § 16-572; § 16-583 |
| Florida | A head of family (someone providing more than half the support of a child or other dependent) has all disposable earnings of $750 a week or less fully protected. Earnings above $750 a week cannot be garnished either, unless the person signed a separate written waiver in the required form, and even then only up to the federal limit. For others, the federal limit applies (no more than 25% of disposable earnings). Fla. Stat. § 222.11(2) |
| Georgia | The lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings, or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed $217.50 (30 hours at $7.25). For judgments on private student loans, the cap is 15% instead of 25%. O.C.G.A. § 18-4-5(a) |
| Hawaii | Garnishment of wages is limited to 5% of the first $100 per month, 10% of the next $100, and 20% of everything over $200 per month (after legally required withholdings), or the weekly equivalent. Wages earned in the 31 days before the proceeding are also exempt from attachment and execution. The federal limit applies if it protects more. HRS § 652-1(a)(4), (b); HRS § 651-121(6) |
| Idaho | Follows the federal limit: the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage. Support orders, Chapter 13 bankruptcy orders and tax debts are not subject to this limit. Idaho Code § 11-207 |
| Illinois | The lesser of 15% of gross weekly wages, or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 45 times the Illinois (or federal, if higher) minimum hourly wage. This is stricter than the federal limit. 735 ILCS 5/12-803 |
| Indiana | Follows the federal limit for ordinary debts: the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50 a week). Only one garnishment can be paid at a time. A higher percentage may be taken for child support. Indiana Small Claims Manual (updated Dec. 23, 2025), Notice of Exemption Rights; 15 U.S.C. § 1673(a) |
| Iowa | The federal limit applies, and Iowa adds yearly caps per creditor based on the worker's expected annual earnings: $250 if under $12,000; $400 for $12,000-$15,999; $800 for $16,000-$23,999; $1,500 for $24,000-$34,999; $2,000 for $35,000-$49,999; and 10% of expected earnings for $50,000 or more. Support orders are treated differently. Iowa Code § 642.21 |
| Kansas | Follows the federal limit: the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage. One creditor may not issue more than one wage garnishment against the same debtor in any 30-day period. Higher limits apply to support orders. K.S.A. 60-2310(b) |
| Kentucky | Follows the federal limit: no more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. The limit does not apply to child support orders, Chapter 13 bankruptcy orders, or state or federal tax debts. An employer may not fire a worker because wages are garnished for one debt. KRS 427.010(2)-(3); KRS 427.140 |
| Louisiana | 75% of weekly disposable earnings is exempt, and never less than 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week (prorated for other pay periods). This matches the federal limit. The court issues a judgment fixing the exempt portion, and a $3 processing fee per pay period is taken from the non-exempt amount. La. R.S. 13:3881(A)(1); La. R.S. 13:3921 |
| Maine | Stricter than federal law. Wages can be garnished only after a court disclosure process (missed installment payments or failure to appear). The weekly amount taken may not exceed the least of: 25% of disposable earnings plus exempt income; the amount by which that total exceeds 40 times the federal or Maine minimum hourly wage, whichever is higher; or total disposable earnings. The court may not order payments from someone whose only income is exempt (such as Social Security or unemployment). An employer may not fire a worker because of a garnishment order. 14 M.R.S. § 3126-A(2)-(3); 14 M.R.S. § 3127-B |
| Maryland | Stricter than federal law. Exempt from garnishment is the greater of 75% of disposable wages or 30 times the Maryland minimum hourly wage times the number of weeks in the pay period, plus any medical insurance payment deducted from pay. The amount is calculated per pay period. Md. Code, Com. Law § 15-601.1 |
| Massachusetts | Stricter than federal law. The greater of 85% of gross wages or 50 times the higher of the federal or Massachusetts minimum hourly wage, for each week, is exempt from attachment (trustee process). The limit does not apply to support orders, where federal limits apply. M.G.L. c. 246, § 28; c. 235, § 34 (Fifteenth) |
| Michigan | Follows the federal limit: the amount garnished is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage (weekly). Employers calculate it on the court's garnishee disclosure form. A wage garnishment stays in effect until the judgment is paid. 15 U.S.C. 1673; MCR 3.101; SCAO form MC 14; MCL 600.4012 |
| Minnesota | Stricter than federal law, on a sliding scale. Earnings up to 40 times the higher of the state or federal minimum wage per week are fully protected. Above that, no more than 10% of disposable earnings may be garnished if weekly income is up to 60 times the minimum wage, 15% if up to 80 times, and 25% if above 80 times (never more than the amount above 40 times the minimum wage). Exempt wages stay exempt for 20 days after being deposited in a bank. Public assistance recipients' earnings are fully exempt. Minn. Stat. § 571.922; § 550.37, subds. 13-14 |
| Mississippi | Wages are fully exempt for 30 days after a writ of garnishment, attachment or execution is served. After that, the federal limit applies: no more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage. The limits do not apply to support orders or state and local taxes. Miss. Code Ann. § 85-3-4 |
| Missouri | No more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage. For a Missouri resident who is head of a family, the limit is 10%. Limits do not apply to support orders, Chapter 13 bankruptcy orders, or tax debts. An employer may not fire a worker over a garnishment for one debt. RSMo 525.030.2, .5 |
| Montana | Follows the federal limit: no more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage. Exempt earnings stay exempt for 45 days after the debtor receives them if they can be traced (for example, in a bank account). Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-614; § 25-13-610(2) |
| Nebraska | No more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage; for a head of a family, no more than 15%. The limits do not apply to support orders, Chapter 13 bankruptcy orders, or tax debts. An employer may not fire a worker over a garnishment for one debt. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1558 |
| Nevada | Stricter than federal law. Exempt each week is the greater of: 82% of disposable earnings if gross weekly pay was $770 or less when the most recent writ was issued (75% if gross weekly pay was more than $770), or 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage. So no more than 18% (or 25% for higher earners) can be garnished. The limits do not apply to support orders, bankruptcy court orders, or tax debts. NRS 21.090(1)(g) |
| New Hampshire | Stricter than federal law. Wages earned before a writ is served on the employer are generally exempt from trustee process, except for debts on a New Hampshire court judgment; in that case, wages equal to 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage for each week are exempt. Wages for work done after the writ is served are exempt, so a new writ is needed for each pay period. RSA 512:21, I-II |
| New Jersey | Stricter than federal law. A wage execution is generally limited to the lesser of 10% of gross pay or 25% of disposable (net) pay, and pay up to 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week is protected. A wage execution is available only if the debtor earns more than $217.50 a week. The debtor can ask the court to reduce it for hardship. NJ Courts, How to Object to a Wage Garnishment in a Special Civil Part Case (CN 12322); Collecting a Money Judgment (CN 10282) |
| New Mexico | Stricter than federal law. Exempt is the greater of 75% of disposable earnings or 40 times the highest applicable federal, state or local minimum hourly wage per week. Exempt wages keep their protection when deposited in a personal bank account if reasonably traceable. Child support garnishments may take up to 50%. NMSA 1978, § 35-12-7 |
| New York | Stricter than federal law. An income execution may take no more than 10% of gross income, and never more than 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30 times the higher of the federal or New York State minimum hourly wage. If disposable earnings are at or below that floor, nothing may be taken. Income executions are not allowed in medical debt actions brought by hospitals or health care professionals. 90% of earnings from the last 60 days are exempt from other enforcement. N.Y. CPLR 5231(b); CPLR 5205(d)(2) |
| North Carolina | The debtor's earnings for personal services in the 60 days before a court order cannot be applied to a judgment when the debtor shows they are needed to support a family that depends on the debtor's work. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-362 |
| North Dakota | The lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 40 times the federal minimum hourly wage (stricter than the federal 30x floor). The garnishable amount is reduced by $20 per week for each dependent family member living with the debtor, if the debtor gives the employer a signed list of dependents within 10 days after receiving the garnishee summons. The creditor must mail or serve a notice at least 10 days before garnishing wages. N.D.C.C. 32-09.1-03, 32-09.1-04 |
| Ohio | Follows the federal limit: the debtor keeps the greater of 75% of disposable earnings or 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week (60 times biweekly, 65 times semimonthly, 130 times monthly). Ohio Rev. Code 2329.66(A)(13) |
| Oklahoma | 75% of earnings for personal services earned during the last 90 days is exempt, so at most 25% can be garnished for ordinary debts (the federal 30-times-minimum-wage floor also applies). A debtor who supports a family or other dependents may ask the court for a hearing to exempt more of their earnings because of undue hardship. 31 O.S. 1(A)(18); 31 O.S. 1.1; 12 O.S. 1171.1 |
| Oregon | 75% of disposable earnings is exempt, and the debtor must be left with at least a minimum weekly amount: $400 per week (or $832 every two weeks, $912 semimonthly, $1,792 monthly) for wages payable from July 1, 2026 to before July 1, 2027. From July 1, 2027 the floor becomes 30 times the Oregon minimum wage per week (60, 65 and 130 times for other pay periods). ORS 18.385(1)-(2) |
| Pennsylvania | Wages held by an employer are exempt from garnishment for ordinary consumer debts. Wage attachment is allowed only for support, divorce-related orders, board for four weeks or less, state higher-education (PHEAA) student loans, criminal restitution/fines, and final judgments for a residential landlord (limited to 10% of net wages and not below the federal poverty guideline). 42 Pa.C.S. 8127(a) |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island's own wage exemption protects only $50 of wages for most debtors, so the federal limit (no more than 25% of disposable earnings, and nothing below 30 times the federal minimum wage per week) is what usually controls. All wages are exempt for a debtor who received public relief, for one year after the relief ends, and wages of a debtor's spouse and minor children are exempt. Since January 1, 2026, wages cannot be garnished at all on a judgment based on medical debt. R.I. Gen. Laws 9-26-4(8)-(9); 10-5-8(a) (eff. Jan. 1, 2026) |
| South Carolina | Wages cannot be garnished for debts from consumer credit sales, consumer loans, consumer leases or rental-purchase agreements. An employer may not fire an employee because of a garnishment. S.C. Code 37-5-104, 37-5-106 |
| South Dakota | The lesser of 20% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 40 times the federal minimum wage (or the South Dakota minimum wage if higher), reduced by $25 per week for each dependent family member living with the debtor. This is more protective than the federal 25% limit. SDCL 21-18-51 |
| Tennessee | Follows the federal limit: the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage. The debtor also keeps an extra $2.50 per week for each dependent child under 16 living in Tennessee, if the debtor tells the employer. T.C.A. 26-2-106, 26-2-107 |
| Texas | Current wages for personal services are exempt from seizure for ordinary consumer debts; the state exemption excepts only court-ordered child support. (Federal law separately allows garnishment for some debts, such as federal student loans and taxes.) Tex. Prop. Code 42.001(b)(1) |
| Utah | For a judgment arising from a consumer credit agreement: the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week (15% for qualifying education loans). This matches the federal limit. Utah Code 70C-7-103(2) |
| Vermont | For a debt from a consumer credit transaction, the debtor keeps the greater of 85% of weekly disposable earnings or 40 times the federal minimum hourly wage (for other debts, 75% or 30 times). The court may protect more if the debtor's reasonable weekly expenses for self and dependents are higher. No wage garnishment may be ordered against a debtor who received assistance from the Department for Children and Families or the Department of Vermont Health Access in the two months before the hearing. A court hearing is required before wages are garnished. 12 V.S.A. 3169, 3170 |
| Virginia | The lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 40 times the federal or Virginia minimum hourly wage, whichever is greater. Because Virginia's minimum wage is higher than the federal one, this protects more than the federal 30-times floor. Va. Code 34-29(A) |
| Washington | For consumer debt, the debtor keeps the greater of 80% of weekly disposable earnings or 35 times the state minimum hourly wage. For private student loan debt: the greater of 85% or 50 times the highest applicable minimum wage. For other debts: the greater of 75% or 35 times the federal minimum wage. RCW 6.27.150(1), (3), (4) |
| West Virginia | A suggestee execution (wage garnishment) may take no more than 20% of weekly wages after taxes, and may not reduce the debtor's weekly pay below 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage. This is more protective than the federal 25% limit. W. Va. Code 38-5A-3(a) |
| Wisconsin | 80% of disposable earnings is exempt, so at most 20% can be garnished. Earnings are completely exempt if household income is below the federal poverty line or the debtor receives (or within 6 months received) need-based public assistance, and garnishment is limited so it does not push household income below the poverty line. Wis. Stat. 812.34(2) |
| Wyoming | Follows the federal limit: the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage. Wyo. Stat. 1-15-511(a) |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.