Wage garnishment in South Carolina
South Carolina bars ordinary consumer-debt wage garnishment. 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 |
| South CarolinaS.C. Code §37-5-104 | None |
A creditor may not garnish wages for a debt arising from a consumer credit sale, consumer lease, consumer loan or consumer rental-purchase agreement.
With respect to a debt arising from a consumer credit sale, a consumer lease, a consumer loan, or a consumer rental-purchase agreement, regardless of where made, the creditor may not attach unpaid earnings of the debtor by garnishment or like proceedings.
What this does not cover
- The bar is expressly limited to consumer credit debt; other debt types are not covered by this section.
South Carolina bars ordinary wage garnishment for consumer debt entirely, so the federal percentage does not come into play. It does NOT bar the exceptions listed below.
Source: South Carolina Code §37-5-104, read 2026-08-22.
Work out your own South Carolina garnishment
Already set to South Carolina. Enter your pay and this applies both limits — South Carolina’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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South Carolina garnishment: common questions
How much of my paycheck can be garnished in South Carolina?
A creditor may not garnish wages for a debt arising from a consumer credit sale, consumer lease, consumer loan or consumer rental-purchase agreement. Federal law would otherwise allow $200 a week on $800 of disposable earnings, but federal law is a floor of protection rather than a ceiling — where a state protects more, state law governs.
Do these limits cover child support or back taxes in South Carolina?
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 South Carolina carves out further exceptions listed above.
How much can be garnished for a federal student loan in South Carolina?
South Carolina'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 South Carolina'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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