Wage Garnishment in District of Columbia

District of Columbia: Highest Dollar-Value Wage Protection

The District of Columbia provides the highest dollar-amount wage protection in the United States: $700 per week is fully exempt from creditor garnishment. Under D.C. Code § 15-501, DC uses a 40× multiplier combined with its own $17.50 minimum wage — the highest state-level minimum wage in the country.

Why DC’s Protection Is So High

The federal baseline uses a 30× multiplier and the $7.25 federal minimum wage, protecting just $217.50/week. DC’s formula is doubly enhanced:

• 40× multiplier (higher than the federal 30×)
• $17.50/hour minimum wage (higher than the federal $7.25)

40 × $17.50 = $700/week protected vs. 30 × $7.25 = $217.50/week federal. DC protects more than triple the federal floor.

Practical Impact

For a DC worker earning $1,000/week in disposable earnings:

• DC: min(25% cap = $250, amount above $700 = $300) = $250 garnishable
• Federal: min(25% cap = $250, amount above $217.50 = $782.50) = $250 garnishable

The DC multiplier most helps moderate-income workers. A worker earning $800/week in DC has at most $100 garnishable, compared to up to $200 under federal rules.

Comparison to Neighboring Jurisdictions

DC’s protection substantially exceeds its neighbors. Maryland follows the federal baseline (protecting only $217.50/week). Virginia uses a 40× multiplier but with the federal $7.25 wage, protecting $290/week. DC’s $700/week floor is more than double Virginia’s and more than triple Maryland’s, making the District a significant outlier in the Mid-Atlantic region for wage protection.

Statute: D.C. Code § 15-501; 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.