Wage Garnishment in Wyoming

Wyoming: Federal Baseline at the Bottom of the Rankings

Wyoming follows the federal baseline CCPA limits under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-15-411, with no additional state-level wage garnishment protections. The NCLC gave Wyoming an ‘F’ grade in its 2024 “No Fresh Start” report, ranking it among the least protective states in the nation for wage and asset seizure.

‘F’ Grade: What It Reflects

Wyoming’s ‘F’ from the NCLC reflects comprehensive weakness:

• Federal-default wage garnishment (25% cap, $217.50/week protected)
• $7.25 minimum wage (tied to the federal floor, which the state has declined to exceed)
• Limited homestead and personal property exemptions
• Insufficient protections against bank account garnishment
• Minimal procedural safeguards for debtors

Wyoming has not meaningfully updated its consumer protection laws in decades, leaving workers reliant on the 1968 CCPA for their primary protection.

Regional Context

Wyoming is surrounded by states offering either identical or better protections. Colorado provides a 20% cap and 40× multiplier — significantly stronger. Montana and Idaho follow the federal baseline but with higher minimum wages ($10.55 and $7.25 respectively — Idaho shares Wyoming’s $7.25 floor). South Dakota follows the baseline but with an $11.50 minimum wage and unlimited homestead exemption. Utah follows the baseline with a $7.25 wage. Nebraska offers a 15% HOH cap. Wyoming and Idaho form the least-protective cluster in the region.

The Practical Reality

For a Wyoming worker earning $800/week in disposable earnings:

• Maximum garnishment: $200/week (25%)
• Amount protected: $600/week
• Annual exposure: up to $10,400

The same worker in Colorado would lose at most $160/week (20% cap) — a $2,080 annual difference. In Nebraska as an HOH: $120/week (15% cap) — a $4,160 annual difference.

What Wyoming Workers Should Know

Wyoming’s $20,000 homestead exemption provides some home equity protection, but for wage earners, the state provides no shield beyond the CCPA minimum. Workers facing garnishment in Wyoming should be aware that the state offers no head-of-household enhancement, no reduced percentage cap, and no enhanced exemption multiplier. The federal CCPA is the sole protection.

Statute: Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-15-411; 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.