Wage Garnishment in Ohio

Ohio: Federal Baseline with Inflation-Indexed Minimum Wage

Ohio follows the federal baseline CCPA limits under Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2716.02, with no additional state-level garnishment protections. However, Ohio’s $10.70 state minimum wage, which is adjusted annually for inflation under the state’s constitutional amendment, provides a meaningfully better earnings floor than the federal $7.25 rate.

The Inflation-Adjustment Advantage

Ohio is one of a small number of states that constitutionally index their minimum wage to inflation. Each year, the wage adjusts automatically based on the CPI, ensuring that the lowest-paid workers do not see their real wages erode over time. A full-time minimum-wage worker in Ohio earns $428/week — compared to $290/week in Indiana or Kentucky (both $7.25 states).

Under garnishment, the Ohio minimum-wage worker has $217.50 protected. Of the remaining $210.50 in exposed earnings, up to about $52.63 could be garnished weekly (25% of disposable), leaving the worker with approximately $375/week. The Indiana or Kentucky worker, by contrast, takes home as little as $272/week after maximum garnishment.

Midwest Context

Ohio’s protections are standard for the lower Midwest. Indiana and Kentucky follow the federal baseline with $7.25 minimum wages — the weakest in the region. Michigan follows the baseline with a $10.56 minimum wage. Pennsylvania bans most garnishment entirely. West Virginia caps at 20% rather than 25%. Ohio sits in the middle tier: not as protective as Pennsylvania or West Virginia, but significantly better for minimum-wage workers than Indiana or Kentucky due to the higher minimum wage alone.

The Constitutional Minimum Wage

Ohio’s minimum wage is enshrined in the state constitution (Article II, Section 34a), passed by ballot initiative in 2006. This constitutional protection means the minimum wage cannot be reduced by ordinary legislation and must be adjusted annually — providing a structural protection for low-wage workers that most states lack. While this does not directly affect the garnishment formula, it means Ohio’s lowest-paid workers have a higher and inflation-protected earnings base before garnishment rules apply.

What Ohio Workers Should Know

For workers earning above minimum wage, Ohio provides the standard federal CCPA protections — nothing more. The state’s $145,425 homestead exemption is generous, but wage garnishment remains at the federal baseline.

Statute: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2716.02; 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.