Wage Garnishment in Alaska

Alaska: $743/Week Head-of-Household Shield

Alaska provides one of the strongest head-of-household garnishment exemptions in the United States. Under Alaska Stat. § 09.38.030, if a worker is the sole financial support of their household, $743 per week of wages is completely exempt from garnishment. Combined with a 25% cap on anything above that threshold, this provides a substantial shield for Alaska’s working families.

The HOH Protection in Detail

For a head of household in Alaska:

• First $743/week: fully exempt — creditors cannot touch this amount
• Above $743/week: up to 25% can be garnished under the federal baseline CCPA limits

For a non-HOH worker, the standard federal limits apply: 25% of disposable earnings, with a protected floor of 30× $7.25 ($217.50/week). The difference between HOH and non-HOH is stark — an HOH worker earning $800/week has only $14.25 potentially garnishable (25% of $57), while a non-HOH worker could lose up to $145.

Minimum Wage Context

Alaska’s $11.91 state minimum wage provides a solid earnings base, and the state adjusts it annually for inflation. A full-time minimum-wage worker in Alaska earns approximately $476/week — entirely below the HOH exemption threshold, meaning HOH minimum-wage workers face zero garnishment for consumer debts.

Comparison to Other States

Alaska’s $743/week HOH exemption is stronger than Florida’s $750/week flat HOH exemption in practice (because Alaska’s applies to a smaller earnings band but provides full protection up to that point). It exceeds the HOH protections in Nebraska (15% cap) and Missouri (10% cap) for moderate-income workers. Non-HOH Alaska workers, however, face the same limited protections as any federal-default state.

Statute: Alaska Stat. § 09.38.030; 15 U.S.C. § 1673 — Official source

This calculator is for consumer debt garnishment only. Not legal advice. Rules vary by debt type (student loans, child support, taxes). Verify with official sources before making any financial or legal decisions.