California Wage Garnishment Calculator 2026

California follows federal CCPA limits: the maximum garnishment is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50/week equivalent). However, California has additional protections — see below.

Yes. California provides stronger wage protections than the federal minimum in some circumstances. California uses the stricter of two formulas: 25% of disposable earnings OR the amount exceeding 40× the state minimum wage ($16/hr × 40 = $640/week) — whichever results in less garnishment. California's higher minimum wage means more protection than the federal standard.

Yes — in California, a creditor who wins a civil lawsuit can garnish your wages for credit card debt, subject to federal CCPA limits (max 25% of disposable earnings). The creditor must first obtain a court judgment; most credit card companies do pursue this if the debt is large enough.

If you receive a wage garnishment notice in California: (1) Review the garnishment order for accuracy — verify the debt amount and that you are the correct debtor. (2) Check if any exemptions apply (e.g., head of household in Florida, general exemptions in TX/PA/NC/SC). (3) Consider negotiating a payment plan with the creditor to stop the garnishment. (4) Consult a California attorney or legal aid society for specific advice. (5) Bankruptcy can provide an immediate automatic stay on most garnishments.

Regardless of state, these income types have strong federal protections: Social Security benefits (exempt from consumer debt garnishment), SSI (fully exempt), Veterans benefits (fully exempt), federal student loan disbursements (exempt), and most public assistance. State rules may provide additional exemptions for pensions, disability payments, and other income types. TODO: VALIDATE California-specific exemptions via official sources.