Wage garnishment in Georgia
On these earnings, Georgia caps ordinary garnishment at $200 a week. Figures assume $1,000 gross and $800 disposable earnings in a week, for ordinary consumer debt.
| Limit | Weekly maximum |
|---|---|
| Federal (Title III)15 U.S.C. §1673 | $200 |
| GeorgiaO.C.G.A. §18-4-5(a)(2) | $200 |
Georgia matches the federal test — 25% of disposable earnings or the excess over $217.50 a week, whichever is less. It writes the $217.50 as a hardcoded dollar figure rather than referencing the federal minimum wage.
Subject to the limitations set forth in Code Sections 18-4-6 and 18-4-53, the maximum part of disposable earnings for any work week which is subject to garnishment shall not exceed the lesser of twenty-five percent of disposable earnings for that week, or the amount by which disposable earnings for that week exceed $217.50.
What this does not cover
- Because Georgia hardcodes $217.50 rather than referencing the FLSA, its statute would go stale the moment Congress raised the federal minimum wage — federal law would then become the binding rule.
- §18-4-6 and §18-4-53 impose further limitations that were not read in this pass.
- A separate, lower cap applies to private student loan garnishment under §18-4-5(a)(1).
Source: Georgia General Assembly — O.C.G.A. §18-4-5 (as enacted 2019-2020), read 2026-08-22.
Work out your own Georgia garnishment
Already set to Georgia. Enter your pay and this applies both limits — Georgia’s and the federal one — and shows whichever binds. Disposable earnings are computed for you, so a voluntary deduction cannot quietly shrink the garnishment base.
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Georgia garnishment: common questions
How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Georgia?
Georgia matches the federal test — 25% of disposable earnings or the excess over $217.50 a week, whichever is less. It writes the $217.50 as a hardcoded dollar figure rather than referencing the federal minimum wage. On $1,000 gross and $800 disposable earnings a week, that works out to $200. Federal law alone would allow $200.
Do these limits cover child support or back taxes in Georgia?
No. Every figure here is for ORDINARY consumer debt. Child support and alimony carry their own, much higher federal limits — 50% to 65% of disposable earnings depending on whether you support another family and how far in arrears you are. Tax levies and bankruptcy orders are separate again, and Georgia carves out further exceptions listed above.
How much can be garnished for a federal student loan in Georgia?
Georgia's limit above does not apply. A defaulted federal student loan can be collected by administrative wage garnishment without a court judgment, "notwithstanding any provision of State law" (31 U.S.C. §3720D). The most it can take is 15% of disposable pay, and never so much that you keep less than 30 times the federal minimum wage — $217.50 a week (34 C.F.R. §34.19). On $800 of disposable earnings a week that is $120. Private student loans are different: they are ordinary consumer debt, need a court judgment first, and follow Georgia's limit.
What counts as disposable earnings?
Under federal law it is gross pay minus deductions REQUIRED by law: income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and legally mandated retirement. A voluntary deduction does not reduce disposable earnings even though it reduces take-home pay — a 401(k), health premium, HSA or union dues do not shrink what can be garnished.
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