Wage Garnishment in Montana

Montana: Federal Baseline with a Competitive Minimum Wage

Montana follows the federal baseline CCPA limits under Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-614, with no additional state-level garnishment protections. However, Montana’s $10.55 state minimum wage (adjusted annually for inflation) provides a stronger earnings floor than the $7.25 federal default — meaning Montana workers are in a noticeably better position than workers in the lowest-wage states.

The Minimum Wage Math

A full-time minimum-wage worker in Montana earns $422/week. With $217.50 protected by the federal formula, $204.50 is exposed — with a maximum garnishment of approximately $51/week (25% of disposable). The worker retains at least $371/week. By comparison, a worker in $7.25 states like Wyoming or Idaho earns $290/week with the same $217.50 protected, meaning they face the same protected floor with a substantially lower total income.

Northern Rockies Comparison

Montana sits in a region of predominantly federal-default states. Wyoming (F NCLC grade, $7.25 wage), Idaho ($7.25 wage), North Dakota ($7.25 wage), and South Dakota ($11.50 wage) all follow the federal baseline. Among these, Montana and South Dakota offer the best earnings floors due to higher minimum wages. Washington to the west provides significantly stronger protections through its recent 2SSB 5651 reforms and $16.66 minimum wage.

The Cost of Living Factor

Montana’s cost of living — particularly housing costs driven by in-migration — has risen substantially in recent years. While the state’s $10.55 minimum wage is better than the federal floor, the protected garnishment amount of $217.50/week has not been adjusted for Montana’s real cost of living. A worker earning the median Montana wage faces the same $217.50 federal protected floor as a worker in a $7.25 state, even though the Montana worker’s actual living costs are higher.

What Montana Workers Should Know

Montana provides a reasonable $250,000 homestead exemption, which is relatively generous. But for wage garnishment, workers have no state-level shield beyond what the federal CCPA provides.

Statute: Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-614; 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.