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Wage garnishment and exemptions in Washington

In Washington, a creditor can take no more than 20% of your pay. Plus what a creditor can't touch in your bank account and what property you keep.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

Short answer

Washington sets a lower limit than federal law: no more than 20% of your pay. Stricter than federal for consumer debt: you keep the greater of 80% of disposable earnings or 35 times the Washington minimum wage per week. For private student loans you keep the greater of 85% or 50 times the highest minimum wage in the state. In a bank account: For consumer debt, $2,000 in bank accounts is protected automatically ($500 for most other debts; $1,000 automatic, up to $2,500, for private student loans).

Wage limit
Up to 20%
Federal benefits in a bank account
Up to 2 months protected
Law
RCW 6.27.150; RCW 6.15.010

How much can they take from your paycheck in Washington?

After a court judgment on a credit card, medical bill or other consumer debt.

Pay after taxes and other deductions the law requires, before voluntary ones such as a 401(k).

Enter your take-home payThe most a creditor can take appears here.

An estimate, not legal advice.

Deadline and form to protect your money in Washington

The papers from the court, your employer or your bank list the deadline to claim an exemption. Ask the court how to file the claim: Washington court self-help (official).

Pay or bank account being taken? Claim an exemption →Get the exemption claim letter →

in the Debt lawsuits section

Your paycheck and garnishment in Washington

Wage limit
Stricter than federal for consumer debt: you keep the greater of 80% of disposable earnings or 35 times the Washington minimum wage per week. For private student loans you keep the greater of 85% or 50 times the highest minimum wage in the state. (RCW 6.27.150(3), (4))
Law
RCW 6.27.150; RCW 6.15.010

In our 48 state guides, 20 states, Washington among them, cap garnishment at 20% or less, below the federal 25% (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)).

In nearby states

Washington exemptions for your home, car and belongings

  • Your homestead is protected up to the greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a single-family home in the prior year (RCW 6.13.030).
  • One motor vehicle is protected up to $15,000; household goods up to $6,500 (RCW 6.15.010(1)(d)).

Bank accounts and garnishment in Washington

For consumer debt, $2,000 in bank accounts is protected automatically ($500 for most other debts; $1,000 automatic, up to $2,500, for private student loans). (RCW 6.15.010(1)(d)(iii))

Directly deposited Social Security, SSI, VA and certain other federal benefits are protected up to two months' worth, without filing anything (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). More in our guide to debt lawsuits.

Good to know in Washington

  • RCW 6.15.010 (personal property and bank account exemptions) was amended in 2025 (2025 c 391); current amounts shown.

When the debt is support, a student loan or taxes

  • Child support: up to 50% of disposable earnings if you support another spouse or child, or 60% if you don't; 5% more if the support is more than 12 weeks late (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)).
  • Federal student loans: up to 15% of disposable pay, without a court case, after a written notice at least 30 days ahead (20 U.S.C. 1095a).
  • Other debts owed to a federal agency: up to 15% of disposable pay, and never below the federal 30-times-minimum-wage floor (31 CFR 285.11).
  • Federal taxes: an IRS levy leaves you an exempt amount based on your standard deduction and dependents; return the Statement of Dependents and Filing Status your employer gives you within 3 days (26 U.S.C. 6334(a)(9), (d); IRS wage levy rules).

No garnishment without a judgment in Washington

If you do not answer within 20 days, the collector can ask for a default judgment, which can lead to wage or bank garnishment.

Answer the lawsuit by the deadline. In Washington: 20 days after you are served in Washington, not counting the day of service (superior court CR 12(a) and district court CRLJ 12(a))

Got court papers? Count your answer deadline →

in the Debt lawsuits section

What to do if you are sued in Washington

Claiming your exemptions in Washington

  1. Read every notice

    Note any deadline to claim exemptions on papers from the court, your employer or your bank; it can be short.

  2. Apply Washington's wage rule

    Washington's wage rule: Stricter than federal for consumer debt: you keep the greater of 80% of disposable earnings or 35 times the Washington minimum wage per week.

  3. Protect your bank money

    Washington also protects money in an account: For consumer debt, $2,000 in bank accounts is protected automatically ($500 for most other debts; $1,000 automatic, up to $2,500, for private student loans). Check that the bank protected your direct-deposited benefits (31 CFR 212.6).

  4. Claim your exemptions in court

    File the court's exemption claim form before the deadline; the clerk has it. Start with Washington court self-help (official).

Questions about garnishment in Washington

What is the wage garnishment limit in Washington?

Stricter than federal for consumer debt: you keep the greater of 80% of disposable earnings or 35 times the Washington minimum wage per week. For private student loans you keep the greater of 85% or 50 times the highest minimum wage in the state. (RCW 6.27.150(3), (4))

Is money in my bank account protected in Washington?

For consumer debt, $2,000 in bank accounts is protected automatically ($500 for most other debts; $1,000 automatic, up to $2,500, for private student loans). (RCW 6.15.010(1)(d)(iii))

Can a creditor take my home or car in Washington?

Your homestead is protected up to the greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a single-family home in the prior year (RCW 6.13.030). One motor vehicle is protected up to $15,000; household goods up to $6,500 (RCW 6.15.010(1)(d)).

Can a creditor garnish federal benefits in my bank account in Washington?

Directly deposited Social Security, SSI, VA and certain other federal benefits are protected up to two months' worth, without filing anything (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). For consumer debt, $2,000 in bank accounts is protected automatically ($500 for most other debts; $1,000 automatic, up to $2,500, for private student loans).

More for Washington

Sources and last check

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources