Washington · wage garnishment
Washington wage garnishment: 80% exempt for consumer debt.
For a consumer debt judgment Washington exempts each week the greater of 80% of disposable earnings or 35 times the state minimum wage, so at most 20% can be garnished. At the 2026 state minimum of $17.13 that protected amount is $599.55 a week. Other judgment debts use 75% or 35 times the federal minimum. Source: RCW 6.27.150, read November 1, 2026.
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Result
The short answer
For a consumer debt judgment Washington exempts each week the greater of 80% of disposable earnings or 35 times the state minimum wage, so at most 20% can be garnished. At the 2026 state minimum of $17.13 that protected amount is $599.55 a week. Other judgment debts use 75% or 35 times the federal minimum. Source: RCW 6.27.150, read November 1, 2026.
What the statute says
RCW 6.27.150(1) is the default rule when the garnishee is an employer: each week, the exempt amount is the greatest of 35 times the federal minimum hourly wage, or 75% of the defendant's disposable earnings. That leaves at most 25% garnishable.
Subsection (4) replaces it for a judgment for the collection of consumer debt: the exempt amount is the greater of 35 times the state minimum hourly wage or 80% of disposable earnings. Subsection (3) gives private student loan judgments a higher exemption: the greater of 50 times the minimum hourly wage of the highest minimum wage law in the state, or 85% of disposable earnings. Subsection (2) makes 50% of disposable earnings exempt for a court order for spousal maintenance (other than mandatory wage assignments under chapter 26.18 RCW or retirement assignments under chapter 41.50 RCW).
Subsection (5) says the exemptions apply whether earnings are paid weekly, monthly or at other intervals, and whether due for one week, a portion of a week or a longer period. Subsection (7) says earnings are not exempt under RCW 6.15.010 from garnishment.
The minimum wage input
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries states that the 2026 minimum wage is $17.13 an hour and the 2027 minimum wage is $17.73 an hour, effective January 1, 2027. Choose the year in which the earnings are payable. Subsection (1) uses the federal minimum in effect at the time earnings are payable, which is $7.25.
What this calculator leaves out
It models consumer debts and other ordinary judgments. Private student loan debts depend on "the highest minimum wage law in the state", which can point to a local ordinance rate, so that case is not calculated here. Which debts are "consumer debt" is a legal question; check the judgment and RCW 6.27.010.
Worked example
Gross pay $1,200.00 weekly, required deductions $200.00, consumer debt, 2026: disposable earnings $1,000.00. WA rule allows $200.00, the federal cap allows $250.00, so the most that can be garnished is $200.00 and $800.00 stays in the paycheck.
More examples (same engine as the calculator)
| Case | Pay | Disposable | WA rule | Federal cap | Most garnishable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| consumer debt, 2026 | $1,200.00 gross, $200.00 deductions, weekly | $1,000.00 | $200.00 | $250.00 | $200.00 |
| other judgment debt, 2026 | $1,200.00 gross, $200.00 deductions, weekly | $1,000.00 | $250.00 | $250.00 | $250.00 |
| lower pay where the minimum-wage floor binds, 2026 | $800.00 gross, $150.00 deductions, weekly | $650.00 | $50.45 | $162.50 | $50.45 |
| same pay in 2027 at $17.73 | $800.00 gross, $150.00 deductions, weekly | $650.00 | $29.45 | $162.50 | $29.45 |
How it compares with the federal limit
Federal law (15 USC 1673(a)) caps garnishment for ordinary debts at the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which they exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which protects $217.50 a week. A state may protect more, never less. When both apply, the lower amount controls, and the calculator shows both. See the federal wage garnishment limit calculator for support orders and for Texas, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, or the state comparison table.
What this page does not cover
Private student loan judgments, spousal maintenance orders, chapter 26.18 RCW wage assignments for support, tax levies and federal student loan administrative garnishment. Tax levies, defaulted federal student loans and bankruptcy orders follow their own rules. Court costs, exemptions you must claim yourself, and the procedure for objecting are decided by the court that issued the judgment.
Frequently asked questions
What percent of wages can be garnished in Washington?
For consumer debt, at most 20%, because 80% of disposable earnings (or 35 times the state minimum wage, if greater) is exempt. For other judgment debts, at most 25% (RCW 6.27.150).
How much of my weekly pay is protected for consumer debt in 2026?
35 x $17.13 = $599.55 of weekly disposable earnings, if that is greater than 80% of your disposable earnings.
Does Washington use the federal or state minimum wage?
Consumer debts use the state minimum wage (subsection 4). The default rule for other debts uses the federal minimum wage (subsection 1).
What about private student loans?
The exemption is the greater of 50 times the highest minimum hourly wage in the state or 85% of disposable earnings (subsection 3). This page does not calculate it because the "highest minimum wage law in the state" can be a local rate.
Does the exemption work for a monthly paycheck?
Yes. Subsection (5) says the exemptions apply to earnings paid weekly, monthly or at other intervals, so the weekly formula is scaled across the workweeks in the period.
Sources
Statute text and agency pages read November 1, 2026. Statutes are amended; check the current version before relying on a figure.
- RCW 6.27.150, Exemption of earnings, Amount (Washington Legislature): The 75%/80%/85% exemptions, 35 and 50 times minimum wage, and the pay-period rule.
- Washington Department of Labor and Industries: minimum wage: 2026 minimum wage $17.13 and 2027 minimum wage $17.73.
- 15 USC 1673 (Cornell LII): The federal 25% / 30-times-minimum-wage cap and the support-order percentages.
- 29 CFR 870.10 (Cornell LII): How the weekly formula converts to longer pay periods.
Not legal advice
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. A garnishment order, your facts and later law changes can differ from the formulas shown. Confirm with the court, a legal aid office or a lawyer before you act. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.