How much of my wages can be garnished in Maryland?

Maryland uses the federal CCPA cap statewide but four Eastern Shore counties have stricter protection.

1. Federal Floor

15 U.S.C. § 1673(a) caps garnishment at the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or amount above 30× federal minimum wage ($217.50/week).

2. Maryland Rule

Md. Code, Com. Law § 15-601.1(b) sets the garnishment cap at the lesser of:

25% of disposable earnings; or

The amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30× state minimum wage (in Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Worcester counties) OR 30× federal minimum wage (in the remaining counties and Baltimore City).

With Maryland's $15/hr state minimum, the Eastern Shore floor is $450/week vs $217.50 elsewhere.

3. Special Categories

Child/spousal support: Up to 50-65% under 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b) and Md. Code, Fam. Law § 10-120 (earnings withholding).

IRS levy: 26 U.S.C. § 6334.

Federal student loans: 15% under 20 U.S.C. § 1095a.

State tax: Md. Code, Tax-Gen. § 13-811 — Comptroller wage lien.

4. Head-of-Household Exemption

Maryland has no head-of-household exemption.

5. Process

Creditor obtains judgment, files Request for Writ of Garnishment of Wages under Md. Rule 3-646 (District Court) or Rule 2-646 (Circuit Court). Employer must answer within 30 days. Debtor receives notice and may move to release property or claim exemption.

6. Multiple Garnishments

Support orders have priority. Among ordinary creditors, the first served satisfies first; later ones queue under Md. Rule 3-646(j).

7. Employer Anti-Retaliation

15 U.S.C. § 1674 prohibits firing for a single garnishment. Md. Code, Com. Law § 15-606 echoes this with statutory damages.

8. Bank Garnishment vs Wage Garnishment

Bank levy under Rule 3-645/2-645. Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-504(b)(5) wildcard exempts up to $6,000 in cash/intangibles claimed within 30 days, plus an additional $5,000 household-goods exemption. Federal benefit protections apply under 31 C.F.R. Part 212.

This is legal information, not legal advice.