Wage garnishment in Minnesota
On these earnings, Minnesota caps ordinary garnishment at $120 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 |
| MinnesotaMinn. Stat. §571.922 | $120 |
A three-band sliding scale: 10% of disposable earnings between 40 and 60 times the minimum wage, 15% between 60 and 80 times, and 25% above that -- with nothing taken below 40 times.
the maximum part of the aggregate disposable earnings of an individual for any pay period subjected to garnishment may not exceed the lesser of: (1) 25 percent of the debtor's disposable earnings, if the debtor's weekly income exceeds 80 times...; (2) 15 percent... if the debtor's weekly income exceeds 60 times, but is less than or equal to 80 times...; or (3) ten percent... if the debtor's weekly income exceeds 40 times, but is less than or equal to 60 times
What this does not cover
- Child support orders are outside this section and have their own ladder.
Source: Minnesota Statutes §571.922, read 2026-08-22. Minimum wage: Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry — minimum wage.
Work out your own Minnesota garnishment
Already set to Minnesota. Enter your pay and this applies both limits — Minnesota’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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Minnesota garnishment: common questions
How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Minnesota?
A three-band sliding scale: 10% of disposable earnings between 40 and 60 times the minimum wage, 15% between 60 and 80 times, and 25% above that -- with nothing taken below 40 times. On $1,000 gross and $800 disposable earnings a week, that works out to $120. Federal law alone would allow $200.
Do these limits cover child support or back taxes in Minnesota?
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 Minnesota carves out further exceptions listed above.
How much can be garnished for a federal student loan in Minnesota?
Minnesota'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 Minnesota'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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