About the Wage Garnishment Calculator
This wage garnishment calculator applies the federal limits in Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) to your paycheck. Enter your gross pay per period, how often you are paid and the deductions required by law (federal, state and local taxes, Social Security, Medicare and mandatory retirement), and choose the type of garnishment.
For ordinary creditor judgments (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans), the most that can be taken is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage per week. Child support and alimony orders can take 50%–65%, and federal student loan administrative wage garnishment can take up to 15% of disposable pay.
Many states give more protection — some use a higher state minimum wage or lower percentages, and a few ban consumer-debt garnishment entirely — so enter your state minimum wage if your state uses it for the protected floor. The calculator does not cover IRS levies, which follow a separate exemption table, or voluntary deductions, which do not reduce disposable earnings.
With the default inputs, the maximum garnishment per paycheck is $237.50. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the wage garnishment calculator
- 1Enter your gross pay for one pay period and how often you are paid.
- 2Enter the deductions required by law from your pay stub.
- 3Choose the type of garnishment — creditor, support or federal student loan.
- 4For support orders, say whether you support another family and if you are behind.
- 5Check whether your state uses a higher minimum wage, then read the maximum per paycheck.
Formula and method
Disposable earnings are what remains after deductions required by law — income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, state unemployment or disability insurance and mandatory retirement contributions. Voluntary deductions such as health insurance or 401(k) contributions are not subtracted.
For ordinary garnishments the limit is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings and the amount above a protected floor of 30 times the minimum wage per week (60× biweekly, 65× semimonthly, 130× monthly). Federal student loan AWG uses 15% with the same floor. Support orders have no floor but are capped at 50% (supporting another family) or 60%, plus 5% when payments are more than 12 weeks behind.
- D
- Disposable earnings per pay period
- G
- Maximum garnishment per pay period
- floor
- Minimum wage × 30 per week (scaled to the pay period)
Worked examples
$1,200 biweekly paycheck, creditor judgment
Disposable earnings are $1,200 − $250 = $950. 25% is $237.50, while earnings above the $435 floor (60 × $7.25) are $515. The lesser amount, $237.50 per paycheck, is the most a creditor can take.
Child support, no second family, behind on payments
For a worker not supporting another spouse or child, the support limit is 60%, plus 5% because payments are more than 12 weeks late — 65% of $950, or $617.50 per paycheck.
Low-wage weekly worker
Disposable pay is $260. 25% would be $65, but only earnings above the $217.50 weekly floor (30 × $7.25) can be taken, which is $42.50. The worker keeps $217.50.
Federal student loan wage garnishment
Administrative wage garnishment for defaulted federal student loans is capped at 15% of disposable pay: 15% × $950 = $142.50 per paycheck, well within the amount above the floor.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my paycheck can be garnished?+
For most consumer debts, federal law allows the lesser of 25% of your disposable earnings or the amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50 a week). State laws can protect more of your pay.
What are disposable earnings?+
Disposable earnings are what is left after deductions required by law: federal, state and local income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, state unemployment and disability insurance, and mandatory retirement contributions. Health insurance and voluntary 401(k) deferrals are not subtracted.
How much can be garnished for child support?+
Up to 50% of disposable earnings if you are supporting another spouse or child, or 60% if you are not. Each limit rises by 5 percentage points if the support is more than 12 weeks in arrears.
Can my wages be garnished for student loans?+
Yes. For defaulted federal student loans, the Department of Education can use administrative wage garnishment without a court order, taking up to 15% of disposable pay, but not so much that you are left with less than 30 times the minimum wage per week.
Can I stop a wage garnishment?+
Options include paying or settling the debt, claiming a state exemption, challenging the judgment, negotiating a payment agreement with the creditor, or filing for bankruptcy, which triggers an automatic stay that halts most garnishments.
Results are general estimates and not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction — consult a qualified attorney.