How much of my wages can be garnished in Washington?

Question

Accepted Answer

Washington protects more wages than federal law and uses the state minimum wage as the floor.

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. Washington Rule

RCW 6.27.150(1) caps ordinary creditor garnishment at the lesser of:

25% of disposable earnings; or

The amount by which disposable earnings exceed 35 times the state minimum hourly wage (per RCW 6.27.150(1)(b), as amended).

For consumer debts (not medical, not student loan), RCW 6.27.150(2) further limits to 80% of disposable above the floor, or 35× state min wage — whichever is greater. Washington's 2026 minimum wage of $16.66/hr gives a floor near $583/week.

3. Special Categories

Child/spousal support: Up to 50-65% under 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b) and RCW 26.18.070 (mandatory wage assignment for support).

IRS levy: 26 U.S.C. § 6334.

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

State tax: Washington has no personal income tax; Department of Revenue can garnish for B&O or sales tax debts under RCW 82.32.235.

Medical debt: RCW 6.27.150(1)(d) caps medical-debt garnishment at the lesser of 15% or 50× state min wage floor.

4. Head-of-Household Exemption

No separate head-of-household exemption — but the high state-min-wage floor and medical-debt cap function similarly.

5. Process

Creditor obtains judgment, files Application for Writ of Garnishment under RCW 6.27.060, and serves writ on employer. Employer must answer within 20 days. Debtor receives Notice of Garnishment and Claim of Exemption form; must file claim within 28 days of receiving notice.

6. Multiple Garnishments

Support orders have priority. Only one ordinary garnishment is satisfied at a time; subsequent writs queue.

7. Employer Anti-Retaliation

15 U.S.C. § 1674 prohibits firing for a single garnishment. RCW 6.27.170 lets a wrongfully discharged employee sue for double damages plus attorney fees.

8. Bank Garnishment vs Wage Garnishment

Bank garnishments under RCW 6.27 capture account balance at service. RCW 6.15.010 auto-protects $500 in a bank account (or $1,000 if pension/benefits) plus federal benefit protections under 31 C.F.R. Part 212.

This is legal information, not legal advice.