State Laws

North Dakota Wage Garnishment Laws Explained

North Dakota uses 40x the federal minimum wage as its garnishment protection threshold, providing enhanced protections.

March 20, 2026 • State Laws • 4 min read

North Dakota provides enhanced wage garnishment protections by using 40 times the federal minimum wage as the protection threshold, compared to the standard 30x. This means $290/week is protected — higher than the federal $217.50/week threshold.

North Dakota's Enhanced Protections

North Dakota limits consumer debt garnishment to the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 40 times the federal minimum wage per week.

Use our North Dakota Wage Garnishment Calculator to see your protected amount. You might also find our California Wage Garnishment Calculator, Texas Wage Garnishment Calculator, or Florida Wage Garnishment Calculator helpful for comparison.

North Dakota Garnishment Process

In North Dakota, a creditor must obtain a judgment and file a garnishment order. The order is served on your employer. North Dakota uses a continuing garnishment system.

Exemptions

North Dakota exempts Social Security, veterans benefits, unemployment compensation, and workers compensation. See our exemption filing guide, and check out related information like Can My Employer Fire Me for Wage Garnishment? or How Much Can Be Garnished From My Paycheck?.

Compare North Dakota with other states at our comparison tool or browse all states via our states page.

Need Help Beyond the Calculator?

If you're dealing with wage garnishment issues, professional help may be the fastest path forward. Visit our Resources page to explore vetted options for legal help.

Compare North Dakota with other states at our comparison tool.

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