Washington State's 2026 Garnishment Exemption amount
- Jonathan Baner
- Jan 5
- 2 min read
Happy 2026!
With the new year comes new minimum wage requirements across Washington State. These new requirements create new exemption amounts for garnishments. The exemption amount varies based on the type of debt being garnished.
These amounts only apply to wage garnishments and are irrelevant for ongoing (as opposed to delinquent) child support being enforced.
When we collect unpaid judgments for our clients, these exemption amounts are top of mind for everyone involved.
Highest minimum wage in the state - private student loans
Burien has the highest wage in the State with highest wage in the State set at $21.63, which by city ordinance is $4.50 more than the State minimum wage. Take note that a lawsuit is pending concerning this ordinance. This highest minimum wage controls the exemption amount only for private student loan collection which is calculated at either 85% or 50x the highest minimum wage in the state.
Weekly | $ 1,081.50 |
Bi weekly | $ 2,163 |
Semi monthly | $ 2,351.30 |
Monthly | $ 4,702.59 |
State minimum wage - Consumer debt:
Consumer debt exemptions are based on either 80% of disposable income or 35 times the state minimum wage which is now (2026) set at $17.13. What is or is not consumer debt is not always cut and dry. Some things are nearly always consumer debt when acquired for non business reasons such as medical debt, credit card debt, auto loan debt, and debt concerning evictions or unpaid rent.
Weekly | $ 599.55 |
Bi weekly | $ 1,199.10 |
Semi monthly | $ 1,303.49 |
Monthly | $ 2,606.97 |
Remember, what is consumer debt is not always obvious. However, some types of debts are almost always consumer debt including: medical, credit card, residential (e.g. unpaid rent), and purchased debt.
Federal minimum wage - Non Consumer, non-child support, "other"
Federal minimum wage remains unchanged and applies to general non-consumer, non-student loan, non child support, non spousal support type debts. Those amounts are unchanged from last year. The exempt amount is 35 times the federal minimum wage of $7.25 on a weekly basis or 75% of disposable income whichever is higher. In WA, because of minimum wage requirements the general exemption amount of 75% of disposable income almost always applies.
What to do?
Law firms and form providers should be careful to adjust exemption claims and, especially, garnishment answer forms. If any outstanding wage garnishments are in place as the new year dawns some adjustment and partial releases may be required.
Consumers should be aware of and monitoring wage garnishments for employer compliance when applicable. Also, consumers should always consider contacting the attorney representing the garnishing creditor to make payment arrangements in lieu of ongoing garnishments.
For further information see:
If you need legal assistance enforcing a judgment, starting a garnishment, or collecting on a debt, we are here to help. Contact us for a free case review at 253-212-0353 or email us at collections@banerbaner.com