District of Columbia Wage Garnishment Calculator
The District takes only a quarter of what you earn above 40 times the DC minimum wage — $736 a week at $18.40 — which is one of the most protective formulas in the country.
A quarter of the excess over 40 hours of DC minimum wage
the attachment shall become a lien and a continuing levy upon the gross wages … to the extent of 25% of the amount by which the judgment debtor’s disposable wages for that week exceed 40 times the minimum hourly wage, as prescribed in [§ 32-1003]
A two-week District paycheck
The District protects 80 hours of its $18.40 minimum wage on a two-week check — $1,472.00 — and lets a creditor take only one quarter of anything above that. A downtown office worker grossing $2,700.00 with $560.00 withheld has $2,140.00 disposable, so the attachment is $167.00, compared with $535.00 under the federal rule alone.
Marshal priority and hardship motions
- The protected floor moves every July 1 with the DC minimum wage ($18.40 since July 1, 2026), so the same paycheck can owe less after a raise in the minimum.§2
- The levy continues until the judgment, interest and costs are paid, but the employer may never withhold more than the statutory amount.§1
- Only one wage attachment is satisfied at a time; the first one delivered to the marshal has priority.§1
- D.C. Code § 16-572.01 lets you file a motion to exempt wages from garnishment.§1