Protected Paycheck Wage Garnishment Calculator

Wage Garnishment in Arizona

Data updated: 2026-06-21
10% Cap Max Garnishment
$909.00/wk Protected Floor
$15.15/hr State Minimum Wage
Very Strong Protection Level

Calculate Your Protected Paycheck in Arizona

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This calculator is for consumer debt garnishment only. Not legal advice. Rules vary by debt type. Verify with official sources before making decisions.

Arizona: Universal 10% Cap Under Proposition 209

Arizona provides one of the strongest garnishment protections in the country — and unlike most states, it applies to ALL workers, not just heads of household. Under Proposition 209 (the “Predatory Debt Collection Protection Act,” passed November 2022), Arizona caps wage garnishment at just 10% of disposable earnings for all consumer debtors. The NCLC gave Arizona a ‘B’ grade — one of the highest in the nation.

The Proposition 209 Formula

Arizona’s formula protects the greater of:

  • 90% of disposable earnings (10% maximum garnishable), OR
  • 60× the applicable minimum wage ($15.15/hr state rate = $909/week protected floor)

Additionally, courts can reduce the cap to 5% of disposable earnings (95% protected) if the debtor proves “extreme economic hardship” by clear and convincing evidence.

Practical Example

For a worker earning $900/week in disposable earnings:

  • Arizona (10% cap): maximum garnishment is $90/week
  • Federal baseline: maximum garnishment up to $225/week (25%)
  • The Arizona worker keeps an additional $135/week — over $7,000/year

This 10% cap applies to ALL Arizona workers, not just heads of household — making Arizona unique among protective states that typically limit enhanced protections to family-status workers.

Regional Context

Arizona’s protections far exceed neighboring states. New Mexico uses a 40× multiplier. Utah follows the federal baseline, while Nevada adds tiered percentage caps with a 50× multiplier. Arizona’s $15.15 state minimum wage (CPI-indexed) also boosts the 60× exemption to $909/week. Note: Flagstaff ($18.35/hr) and Tucson ($15.45/hr) have higher local minimum wages that apply to the exemption calculation for workers in those cities.

Statute: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1131; 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.