Quick Answer: Federal law limits wage garnishment for consumer debts to 25% of your disposable earnings or the amount by which your weekly pay exceeds $217.50 — whichever is less. However, some states like Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina prohibit most consumer debt garnishment entirely. Use this calculator to see your specific state protections.
How Much of Your Paycheck Can Creditors Take?
When a creditor wins a judgment against you, the next thing they want is your paycheck. But federal and state laws limit how much they can take. Some states protect you more than others — and a few states do not allow consumer debt garnishment at all.
Select your state, pay frequency, and approximate gross pay below. You will get a personalized assessment of your garnishment risk, your state’s protections, and what you can do about it.
Facing debt collectors? Check the Debt Collector Rights Lookup to know what they can and cannot do. Considering bankruptcy to stop garnishment? Use the Bankruptcy Means Test to check eligibility. Not sure what to do? Take the Find Your Path Quiz.
Creditors are businesses making calculated risks. You have legal rights — and the law limits what they can take from your paycheck.— Steve Rhode
How Wage Garnishment Works
Before a creditor can garnish your wages for consumer debt, they must first sue you in court, win a judgment, and then get a garnishment order. This process takes time — and at every step, you have rights and options.
The Federal Two-Part Test
Federal law (Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act) limits garnishment to the lesser of:
- 25% of your disposable earnings (gross pay minus mandatory deductions like taxes and Social Security)
- The amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25 x 30 = $217.50)
Key Insight: If your weekly disposable earnings are less than $217.50, your wages cannot be garnished at all under federal law. Many states set this threshold even higher.
Your Most Powerful Protection: Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy’s Automatic Stay
- Immediately stops ALL wage garnishment the moment you file
- Stops lawsuits, collections calls, and bank levies too
- Chapter 7 can eliminate the underlying debt in 3-4 months
- Most people rebuild good credit within 2 years
Without Bankruptcy
- Garnishment continues until the judgment is paid in full
- Interest and fees keep adding to the balance
- Multiple creditors can garnish simultaneously (up to limits)
- Can last years depending on the debt amount
Key Takeaways
- Federal law caps consumer debt garnishment at 25% of disposable earnings
- Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina prohibit most consumer debt garnishment
- Many states offer stronger protections than federal law
- If weekly disposable pay is under $217.50, wages cannot be garnished at all
- Bankruptcy immediately stops all garnishment via the automatic stay
- Never ignore a garnishment summons — you have rights and deadlines to protect them
Related: Wage Garnishment: The Complete Guide to Your Rights and Options — all your options in one place.
