California Wage Garnishment Limits
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Check California wage garnishment limits — Stronger than federal: lesser of 25% of disposable OR 50% of the excess over 40× the state/local minimum wage. With CA minimum wages at $16.
Quick answer: California: Stronger than federal: lesser of 25% of disposable OR 50% of the excess over 40× the state/local minimum wage. With CA minimum wages at $16.50+, the protected floor (~$660/week) far exceeds the federal $217.50. Child support and tax levies follow their own higher federal schedules everywhere.
The California Rule
Stronger than federal: lesser of 25% of disposable OR 50% of the excess over 40× the state/local minimum wage. With CA minimum wages at $16.50+, the protected floor (~$660/week) far exceeds the federal $217.50.
How It Compares to Federal
The federal CCPA floor (lesser of 25% of disposable, or disposable minus 30× the $7.25 minimum = $217.50/week protected) applies everywhere — states may only protect MORE. California’s rule adjusts the formula in the debtor’s favor, which the calculator reflects against your numbers.
Universal Rules That Still Apply
- Child support: 50-65% of disposable under federal law — untouched by state consumer-debt shields.
- Federal student loans: 15% administrative garnishment; IRS levies: table-based.
- One-garnishment firing protection (CCPA) applies nationally.
- Exemption claims: the garnishment notice includes the form — deadlines are short; file immediately.
Responding to a Garnishment Notice
Verify the math against this page, file the exemption claim where the state shields you (head-of-family in Florida, the prohibitions in TX/PA/NC), and consider negotiating voluntary payments — creditors routinely prefer agreements over administration. The full federal framework and the multi-debt stacking rules live in the main garnishment calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can be garnished in California?
Stronger than federal: lesser of 25% of disposable OR 50% of the excess over 40× the state/local minimum wage — for ordinary consumer debts; support and tax debts follow separate higher schedules.
Is California better than federal protection?
Where the state formula protects more than the CCPA floor, the state rule wins for the debtor.
Can child support still garnish in California?
Yes — 50-65% of disposable under federal rules; state consumer shields never block support or tax collection.
Can I be fired over a garnishment?
Not for a single garnishment (federal CCPA protection); some states extend further.
How do I claim my exemptions?
File the exemption form served with the garnishment notice before its deadline — head-of-family and income-based shields require the claim.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026