California Wage Garnishment Calculator
Enter your income details to estimate the maximum that can legally be taken from your paycheck under California and federal rules.
Key California garnishment facts
| State abbreviation | CA |
|---|---|
| Consumer debt limit | 25% of disposable earnings, subject to the 40x minimum wage test |
| Child support limit | 50% if supporting another family, 60% otherwise, plus 5% for arrears |
| Federal student loans | 15% administrative garnishment cap |
| State minimum wage | $16.00 |
| Minimum wage source used in calculator | California minimum wage |
| Head of household protection | No additional protection listed |
| Statute reference | California Code of Civil Procedure §706.050 |
Additional notes
California provides stronger protections than federal law. The state protects 40 times the state minimum wage (not federal), which is significantly more protective given California's $16.00/hr minimum wage. This means $640/week is protected in California vs. $217.50 under federal law.
Tax levy note: California Franchise Tax Board can garnish up to 25% of disposable earnings for state tax debts without a court order.
Key protections and reminders
- • 40x state minimum wage protected ($640/week) — far exceeds federal protection
- • Maximum garnishment is the lesser of 25% or amount exceeding 40x state minimum wage
- • Earnings Withholding Order required for most garnishments
- • Additional protections for low-income earners under state law
Run the numbers: three California paychecks
These weekly examples assume roughly 25% of gross pay goes to legally required deductions; the calculator above lets you use your own numbers and pay schedule.
| Gross weekly pay | Est. disposable | Max consumer-debt garnishment |
|---|---|---|
| $800.00 | $600.00 | $0.00 |
| $1,200.00 | $900.00 | $225.00 |
| $2,000.00 | $1,500.00 | $375.00 |
For the full legal picture — process, exemptions, and how to respond — read the companion guide: California Wage Garnishment Laws Explained.
Calculator questions, answered
What are “disposable earnings”?
Your pay after legally required deductions — federal and state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. Voluntary deductions like health insurance or 401(k) contributions usually do NOT reduce disposable earnings for garnishment purposes. The calculator estimates deductions at 25% of gross; your paystub has the real figure.
How much of my paycheck is completely safe in California?
Weekly disposable earnings at or below $640.00 (40× the California minimum wage) cannot be touched for consumer debts, and the percentage cap limits what can be taken above that line.
How accurate is this calculator?
It applies the current California and federal formulas to the numbers you enter, but it estimates your deductions and cannot know case-specific court orders. Treat the result as a close estimate, and the court order as the final word. California Franchise Tax Board can garnish up to 25% of disposable earnings for state tax debts without a court order.
What if I have more than one garnishment?
Federal law caps the combined total, and priority matters: child support first, then tax levies, then other debts. A second creditor generally has to wait if the first already takes the legal maximum.