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.

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

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.

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))

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

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources