California Wage Garnishment Limits (2026)
How much of a paycheck a creditor can take in California, the minimum-wage floor that protects low earners, and how to ask for more to be exempt.
For an ordinary debt, such as a credit card judgment, California lets a creditor take the lesser of 20% of your disposable earnings or 40% of the amount above 48 hours of minimum wage per week (Code of Civil Procedure 706.050). At the state minimum wage of $16.90, anyone taking home $811.20 a week or less can't be garnished at all. Support orders can take up to 50%.
The two tests
Since September 1, 2023, an ordinary earnings withholding order can take no more than the smaller of:
- 20% of your disposable earnings for the pay period, or
- 40% of the amount by which your disposable earnings exceed a protected floor: the minimum wage times a set number of hours.
The minimum wage used is the state rate or, if you work somewhere with a higher local minimum wage, the local rate in effect when you're paid. The hours depend on how often you're paid:
| Pay period | Hours | Protected floor at $16.90 | At Los Angeles' $18.42 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 48 | $811.20 | $884.16 |
| Every two weeks | 96 | $1,622.40 | $1,768.32 |
| Twice a month | 104 | $1,757.60 | $1,915.68 |
| Monthly | 208 | $3,515.20 | $3,831.36 |
Earnings at or below the floor can't be taken. Just above it, the 40% test keeps the garnishment small; at higher pay the 20% cap takes over. For weekly pay at the state minimum wage, the switch happens at about $1,622 of disposable earnings.
What counts as disposable earnings
Disposable earnings are what's left after deductions required by law: federal, state and local income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare, and State Disability Insurance. Health insurance premiums, union dues, retirement contributions and other voluntary deductions are not subtracted, so the garnishment is figured on a larger number than your actual take-home pay.
Examples: weekly pay, state minimum wage
| Disposable earnings a week | 20% test | 40% above floor | Maximum garnishment |
|---|---|---|---|
| $800 | $160.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| $1,000 | $200.00 | $75.52 | $75.52 |
| $1,200 | $240.00 | $155.52 | $155.52 |
| $1,500 | $300.00 | $275.52 | $275.52 |
| $2,000 | $400.00 | $475.52 | $400.00 |
The same $1,000 a week earned in Los Angeles, with its higher floor, can be garnished by at most $46.34.
Child and spousal support
Support orders follow different rules. California exempts half of disposable earnings, so up to 50% can be withheld for support (CCP 706.052), and any party can ask the court to divide earnings fairly among everyone the debtor has to support. The federal cap in 15 U.S.C. 1673 still applies: 50% to 65% depending on whether you support another spouse or child and whether payments are more than 12 weeks behind. Support orders take priority over ordinary garnishments.
Asking for more to be exempt
If the standard limits still leave you short, you can file a claim of exemption with the levying officer, asking the court to protect the part of your earnings you prove is needed to support yourself and your family (CCP 706.051). That hardship exemption isn't available when the order is for child or spousal support, a state tax order, certain family-law attorney's fees, or wages you owed to your own employees. File quickly: the claim deadlines are short, and the instructions come with the earnings withholding order.
Other protections
- Bank accounts have a separate automatic exemption, and money from Social Security, SSI and many public benefits is protected when deposited.
- Your home is covered by the homestead exemption; see how much equity is protected.
- Firing. Federal law bars firing an employee because of garnishment for any one debt.
Figure your limit
The Wage Garnishment Calculator applies both tests to your pay, pay period and city minimum wage. To estimate disposable earnings from your gross pay, start with the paycheck calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can be garnished from wages in California?
For an ordinary debt, the lesser of 20% of your disposable earnings or 40% of the amount by which they exceed 48 times the minimum wage for the week. At the state minimum wage of $16.90, that floor is $811.20 a week.
What are disposable earnings?
Your gross pay minus the deductions the law requires: federal, state and local income tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare and SDI. Voluntary deductions such as health premiums or retirement contributions are not subtracted.
Does my city's minimum wage matter for garnishment?
Yes. If you work somewhere with a higher local minimum wage, the protected floor is figured with that local rate, so less of your pay can be taken.
How much can be taken for child support?
Up to 50% of disposable earnings under California law, and a court can divide earnings among everyone you must support, but never above the federal limit in 15 U.S.C. 1673 (50% to 65%, depending on your situation).
Can I stop a wage garnishment in California?
You can file a claim of exemption asking the court to protect more of your pay if you can show it's needed to support yourself and your family. This isn't available for support orders, state tax orders, or debts for wages you owed your own employees.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Sources: Code of Civil Procedure 706.011, 706.050, 706.051 and 706.052; 15 U.S.C. 1673; California Department of Industrial Relations minimum wage; local minimum wage ordinances.