Wage Garnishment Limit Calculator
Reviewed by Hamza Gujjar, Algorithm Architect & Software Developer
Last updated: July 27, 2026Wage Garnishment Limit Calculator
Under the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), most ordinary debt garnishments are capped by whichever of two limits protects more of the debtor's income.
Formula
Max Garnishment = min(25% of Disposable Weekly Earnings, Earnings - 30x Federal Minimum Wage)
Example
$600 disposable weekly earnings, federal minimum wage x 30 hours = $217.50:
25% Limit = $150, Excess over 30x minimum wage = $382.50 → Max Garnishment = $150/week (the smaller, more protective figure)
Why Two Limits Instead of One
Taking the lesser of these two calculations ensures low-wage earners retain at least 30 times the federal minimum wage per week regardless of the 25% rule, while higher earners are capped at 25% of disposable earnings regardless of how large that dollar amount is - together these two rules protect a baseline standard of living across a wide range of income levels.
Important Exceptions Not Covered by This General Limit
This federal CCPA limit does NOT apply to certain specific debt types - child support, federal student loans, and unpaid taxes each have their own separate (often significantly higher) garnishment limits under different legal authority. Additionally, many states set their own garnishment limits that are more protective than this federal floor, meaning the actual applicable limit in your situation may be lower than what this general federal calculation shows.