About the Wage Garnishment Calculator
A wage garnishment is a legal order requiring an employer to withhold part of an employee's pay and send it to a creditor. It usually follows a court judgment for an unpaid debt, but some creditors, such as the federal government for defaulted student loans and agencies collecting child support, can garnish without going to court. In the United States, federal law limits how much can be taken, so that people keep enough to live on.
This wage garnishment calculator applies those federal limits. Enter your disposable earnings for one pay period, how often you are paid and the type of debt, and it shows the most that can be garnished each pay period, how much you keep, and the protected amount based on the federal minimum wage.
How to Use the Wage Garnishment Calculator
Enter your disposable earnings for one pay period.
Choose your pay frequency and the type of debt.
For child support or alimony, say whether you support another spouse or child and whether you are more than 12 weeks behind.
The Formulas
protected floor = 30 × federal minimum wage per week
(60× biweekly, 65× twice a month, 130× monthly)
consumer debts = lesser of 25% of disposable pay or disposable pay − floor
student loans = 15% of disposable pay, leaving at least the floor
support orders = 50% (other family) or 60%, + 5% if over 12 weeks behindThe federal minimum wage is 7.25 an hour, so the weekly floor is 217.50.
Step-by-Step Examples
1,500 of disposable pay every two weeks, credit card judgment.
floor 60 × 7.25 = 435
25% 1,500 × 25% = 375
excess 1,500 − 435 = 1,065
limit the lesser: 375 per paycheck500 every two weeks, same debt.
25% 125
excess 500 − 435 = 65
limit 65 per paycheckDisposable Earnings
Garnishment limits apply to disposable earnings: gross pay minus deductions required by law, such as federal, state and local income tax, Social Security and Medicare, and state unemployment or disability contributions. Voluntary deductions such as health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, union dues and charitable gifts are not subtracted, so disposable earnings can be higher than take-home pay.
Types of Debt
Ordinary debts, such as credit cards, medical bills and personal loans, follow the 25% rule and need a court judgment first. Defaulted federal student loans can be collected by administrative wage garnishment of up to 15% without a lawsuit, after notice and a chance to request a hearing. Child support and alimony have much higher limits, from 50 to 65%, because supporting dependants is treated as a priority. Federal tax levies by the IRS and bankruptcy follow different rules not covered here.
State Laws
Federal law sets the maximum, but states can protect more. Some states limit garnishment for consumer debts to a lower percentage, protect a larger fixed amount, or ban wage garnishment for most consumer debts. Where state and federal rules differ, the one that leaves you with more applies. Check your state's rules or ask a legal aid organisation.
Multiple Garnishments
If more than one creditor has a garnishment, the total for ordinary debts still cannot exceed the federal limit. Support orders generally take priority over other garnishments. Employers must follow the order priority and limits, and cannot fire an employee because of garnishment for a single debt.
What You Can Do
You may be able to challenge a garnishment, claim exemptions, negotiate a payment plan with the creditor or, in some cases, stop it through bankruptcy. Respond quickly to any court papers or notices, because deadlines for objections are short. Legal aid services can often help for free.
What Counts as Pay Frequency
The protected floor is set per week, then scaled to the pay period: 30 times the minimum wage weekly, 60 times every two weeks, 65 times for twice-monthly pay and 130 times monthly. Using the right frequency matters, because the floor and the 25% limit are applied to each paycheck separately.
Bank Accounts and Benefits
Garnishment of a bank account is a separate process from wage garnishment. Federal benefits such as Social Security and veterans' benefits deposited directly into a bank account are protected up to two months of payments from most creditors, though not from all federal debts or support orders. Keep records of where deposits come from in case you need to claim an exemption.
Getting Help
Legal aid organisations, consumer law clinics and nonprofit credit counsellors can explain your options. For student loans, contacting the loan holder to set up a repayment or rehabilitation agreement can stop administrative wage garnishment.
Ending a Garnishment
A garnishment usually continues until the judgment, including interest and costs, is paid in full, or until it is released by the creditor or the court. Paying the debt off, agreeing a settlement, or filing bankruptcy can end it sooner. Ask the creditor for written confirmation when the debt is satisfied, and give a copy to your employer.
Understanding Your Result
The headline gives the maximum that can be garnished per pay period.
The rule line shows which limit applies.
The you keep line shows the minimum you retain.
The protected amount line shows the floor based on the minimum wage.
When Should You Use This Calculator?
Use it if you receive notice of a wage garnishment.
Use it to check that an employer is withholding the right amount.
Use it to budget while a garnishment is in place.
Common Mistakes
Using take-home pay. Use disposable earnings.
Ignoring state law. Your state may protect more.
Assuming all debts follow the 25% rule. Support and student loans differ.
Missing deadlines. Respond to notices quickly.