Wage Garnishment Calculator
Updated August 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Calculate how much of your paycheck can be garnished under federal law (Title III of the CCPA) — the 25% / 30×-minimum-wage rule, the higher child-support limits, and what remains protected.
Quick answer: For ordinary creditor debts, garnishment is capped at the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30 × the federal minimum wage ($217.50/week). Child support can take 50-65%. Disposable earnings = gross pay minus legally required deductions.
The Federal Formula (CCPA Title III)
Everything runs off disposable earnings — gross pay minus deductions required by law (income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, mandatory state contributions). Health insurance, 401(k), and union dues do NOT reduce disposable earnings, which surprises almost everyone.
For ordinary creditor judgments, the weekly garnishment is the lesser of:
- 25% of disposable earnings, or
- Disposable earnings minus 30 × federal minimum wage (30 × $7.25 = $217.50/week)
Below $217.50/week of disposable earnings, nothing can be garnished for ordinary debts. Between $217.50 and $290, only the amount above $217.50 goes. At $290+, the flat 25% applies.
Worked Examples
Example 1 — typical earner. $900 gross, $180 required deductions → $720 disposable. 25% = $180; excess over $217.50 = $502.50. Lesser = $180/week garnished, $540 protected.
Example 2 — low earner. $260 disposable: 25% = $65, but excess over $217.50 is only $42.50 → $42.50 garnished.
Example 3 — child support. Same $720 disposable, not supporting another family, payments 12+ weeks in arrears: up to 65% = $468/week — child support operates on an entirely different ceiling.
Limits by Debt Type
| Debt type | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Ordinary creditor judgment | Lesser of 25% or excess over 30× min wage |
| Child support (supporting another family) | 50% (+5% if 12+ weeks in arrears) |
| Child support (no other family) | 60% (+5% if 12+ weeks in arrears) |
| Federal student loans (default) | 15% of disposable earnings |
| Federal tax levy | IRS table — an exempt amount is protected, rest is takeable |
| State tax | Varies by state; often mirrors 25% |
State Protections Beat Federal (When Stronger)
States may protect MORE, never less. Notable examples: Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina broadly prohibit wage garnishment for ordinary consumer debts (child support and taxes still apply). Several states use their own higher minimum wage in the 30× test — in a $15/hour state that shields $450/week instead of $217.50. Always check your state's rule: the lower of the two calculations wins for the creditor, the higher protection wins for you.
What Employers and Employees Should Know
- Multiple garnishments stack against the same cap for ordinary debts — a second creditor waits in line; they cannot jointly exceed 25%.
- Firing protection: Title III forbids terminating an employee over a single garnishment (a second one loses that protection federally, though some states extend it).
- Tips and bonuses: earnings for garnishment purposes include bonuses and commissions; the same disposable-earnings math applies to a bonus check.
- Verify the math on your stub: payroll errors on garnishment are common — recompute disposable earnings yourself, and check the base figures with the payroll tax calculator.
Reducing or Stopping a Garnishment
Options in rough order of leverage: claim a state exemption (file the exemption form the garnishment notice must include), negotiate a payment plan with the creditor (many prefer voluntary payments over garnishment administration), challenge the judgment if service was defective, or — for federal student loans — rehabilitate the loan (nine agreed payments stops the 15% garnishment). Bankruptcy stays most garnishments immediately but is a decision for a professional, not a calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my paycheck can be garnished?
For ordinary debts: the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount over $217.50/week (30× federal minimum wage). Child support can reach 50-65%; student loans 15%.
What counts as disposable earnings?
Gross pay minus legally REQUIRED deductions (income tax, FICA). Health insurance, retirement contributions, and union dues do not reduce disposable earnings.
Can my whole paycheck be garnished?
No — for ordinary debts, at least 75% of disposable earnings (and never less than $217.50/week) is protected. Only child support and federal tax levies can go deeper.
Can I be fired for a wage garnishment?
Federal law protects you for ONE garnishment. Multiple garnishments lose that federal protection, though some states protect further.
Which states prohibit wage garnishment?
Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina broadly bar garnishment for ordinary consumer debts. Child support and tax debts are still enforceable everywhere.
Do two garnishments mean 50% of my pay?
No — ordinary creditors share the single 25% cap and queue behind each other. Child support plus a creditor garnishment can stack, but the CCPA total limits still govern.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: August 20, 2026