Guide to Garnishment Limits by State

April 27, 2024

Guide to Garnishment Limits by State

Is a debt collector threatening to garnish your wages? Want to know how much they can take? Here’s your guide to garnishment limits by state.

In the event of a debt-related lawsuit resulting in a default judgment, wage garnishment may occur as a means to satisfy outstanding debts. This process entails a portion of your wages being redirected to the creditor. It’s essential to recognize that legal limits and regulations surrounding wage garnishment vary by jurisdiction.

Throughout the wage garnishment process, debtors retain certain rights. Notification of garnishment is mandated, and individuals have the opportunity to dispute the debt if they believe it is erroneous. Furthermore, it’s important to note that both social security and veteran benefits are exempt from wage garnishment.

While a single wage garnishment typically does not lead to termination, multiple garnishments may jeopardize employment. Understanding these rights and protections empowers individuals to navigate the wage garnishment process effectively while safeguarding their financial well-being.

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Guide to garnishment limits by state

Alabama

Federal limits apply

Alaska

Up to 25% of disposable weekly earnings.
At least $350 of weekly net earnings

Arizona

Federal limits apply

Arkansas

Federal limits apply

California

Federal limits apply

Colorado

Federal limits apply

Connecticut

25% of your disposable earnings or the amount by which your weekly earning exceed 40 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) or the Connecticut minimum wage ($9.15/hour), whichever is less

Delaware

Federal limits apply
Only one wage garnishment permitted per individual

District of Columbia

Garnishment is not allowed for anyone earning 40 times the D.C minimum wage ($15/hour) or less.
Federal limits apply
Only one wage garnishment permitted per individual

Florida

Only one wage garnishment permitted per individual
If disposable income is less than 30 times the federal minimum wage, your wages cannot be garnished.
Florida Head of Family Exemption: If the head of a household and making less than $750 per week, wages cannot be garnished.

Georgia

Federal limits apply

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Hawaii

Calculated based on monthly disposable income: 5% for the first $100, 10% on the next $100, 25% on all disposable income over $200 for one month.

Idaho

Federal limits apply

Illinois

Either 15% of gross wages or the amount of disposable income after deducting the Illinois minimum wage times 45.

Indiana

Federal limits apply
If an individual shows why the amount should be reduced, garnishment may be less than 25%
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments

Iowa

Federal limits apply, however, the amount a single creditor can garnish in one year includes:
- Below $12,000/year: up to $250
- $12,000-$15,999: to $400
- $16,000-$23,999: up to $800
- $24,000-$34,999: up to $1500
- $35,000-$49,999; up to $2,000
- $50,000+: no more than 10% of wages.
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments

Kansas

Federal limits apply
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments

Kentucky

Federal limits apply

Louisiana

Federal limits apply

Maine

Less than 25% of an employee’s disposable income or disposable wages that are more than 40 times the state minimum wage ($11.00/hour).
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments

Maryland

Federal limits apply in Queen Anne’s
Cannot be terminated for having one wage garnishment per year
Federal limits apply in Kent, Worcester, and Caroline counties
In other countries, the lesser of 25% of the employee’s weekly disposable income or the amount by which the employee’s weekly disposable earnings exceed $145 can be garnished
In Maryland, an employer cannot terminate an employee for a single garnishment in one calendar year.

Massachusetts

Up to 15% of one’s gross wages or disposable income less than 50 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) or the Massachusetts minimum wage ($12.00/hour) per week (whichever is more)

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Michigan

Federal limits apply
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments under Michigan law, but can be under federal law

Minnesota

Federal limits apply

Mississippi

Federal limits apply
Cannot be terminated for having a wage garnishment for child support
Wages cannot be garnished for the first 30 days after the court order is served

Missouri

Federal limits apply
Heads of the household are more protected

Montana

If earnings are less than $217.50/week, wages cannot be garnished.
If weekly disposable earnings are over $217.50 but under $290.00, only the amount above $217.50 can be garnished.
If disposable earnings are over $290.00/week, no more than 25% can be garnished.

Nebraska

Federal limits apply

Nevada

The highest amount that can be garnished per week is less than 25% of an employee’s disposable income or the amount of their disposable earnings that exceed the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour)
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments

New Hampshire

Protects disposable earnings greater than 50 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour or $362.50/week).

New Jersey

Up to 10% of the employee’s income if they earn less than 250% of the federal poverty level for their household’s size or up to 25% if the individual earns more than 250% of the federal poverty level.
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments

New Mexico

Less than 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earning exceed 40 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour)

New York

10% of an employee’s gross wages or 25% of their disposable income that exceeds 30% of the minimum wage ($7.25/hour), whichever is lower.
Income is less than 30 times the minimum wage, cannot be garnished.

North Carolina

Federal limits apply except for garnishments by the North Carolina Department of Revenue, which limits to 10% of an employee’s gross wages

North Dakota

Less than 25% of the employee’s disposable income or when weekly income exceeds 40 times the minimum wage ($7.25/hour)

Ohio

Federal limits apply
Cannot be terminated for having one wage garnishment per year, or because of child-support garnishment.

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Oklahoma

Federal limits apply
Cannot be terminated for having more than two wage garnishments in one year

Oregon

Federal limits apply
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments

Pennsylvania

Limits vary by type of debt owed
- Back rent: limited to 10%
- Child support up to 60%
- Student loans up to 15%
- Unpaid federal taxes depend on dependents and deductions
- Unpaid state taxes up to 10%.

Rhode Island

25% of the employee’s disposable income or if weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour).

South Carolina

Private parties are prohibited from garnishing for consumer debt
Federal limits apply
Cannot be terminated for having a consumer debt garnishment

South Dakota

20% of disposable earnings or if weekly disposable earnings exceed 40 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) (less $25/week for each dependent living with the employee for either one).

Tennessee

5% of weekly disposable income or disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour). An additional $2.50 per week for each dependent that lives in the state is protected

Texas

Federal limits apply
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments

Utah

25% of weekly disposable earnings or disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour)

Vermont

Less than 25% of disposable income (only 15% for consumer credit debts) or if disposable earnings exceed 30 times the minimum wage (40 times for consumer credit debts).
Cannot be terminated for having disposable earnings garnished

Virginia

25% of weekly disposable earnings or if disposable earnings exceed 40 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour)

Washington

Less than 25% of an employee’s weekly disposable earnings or weekly disposable earnings exceeding 25 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour)
Cannot be terminated unless there are 3 or more wage garnishments in one year

West Virginia

Less than 20% of the employee’s disposable earnings or if weekly earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour).
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments

Wisconsin

Wages cannot be garnished if the debtor has received any type of welfare benefits for the last six months
Wages cannot be garnished if the household income is below the federal poverty line
Wages cannot be garnished if 25% of earnings are already being garnished for child support
Holder of a payday loan cannot have wages garnished
Limits are 20% of the employee’s disposable earnings or if disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour).
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments unless they are served three or more garnishments within one year.

Wyoming

Federal limits apply
Cannot be terminated for having multiple wage garnishments

What is ZumaZip?

ZumaZip is a convenient solution designed to streamline your response to a debt collection lawsuit. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when you use ZumaZip:

Firstly, you’ll access our user-friendly web application, which guides you through the process step by step. You’ll be prompted to answer a series of questions related to your specific situation. Once you’ve completed the questionnaire, you have the option to either print out the finalized forms and mail them to the appropriate courts yourself, or you can opt to utilize ZumaZip’s services to file them on your behalf. Additionally, if you choose this option, an attorney will review your document for added peace of mind.

If you’re seeking guidance on how to effectively respond to a debt collection lawsuit, ZumaZip can provide the assistance you need. Feel free to explore our FAQs for more information on what ZumaZip has to offer.

What if I haven’t been sued yet?

If you’ve only received a collections notice, but not a lawsuit, the best way to respond is with a Debt Validation Letter. When a debt collector contacts you in any way, whether it’s by phone or mail, you can respond by formally requesting a debt validation with a Debt Validation Letter . This letter notifies the collector that you dispute the debt and forces them to provide proof you owe the debt. They can’t call you or continue collecting until they provide validation of the debt. This flowchart shows how you can use a Debt Validation Letter to win.

Get started with a Debt Validation Letter here.

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