Wage garnishment in Tennessee
By Kai Greenspan, Founding Editor
Every quotation on this page matches the official text word for word, as last downloaded on October 28, 2026.
The most of a week's disposable earnings that can be garnished in Tennessee, and only if a second figure is not lower: the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage.
Source: advance.lexis.com · Last checked: October 28, 2026
The cap, and the minimum-wage floor under it
Section 26-2-106 sets the ceiling, and it is the lesser of two figures: “The maximum part of the aggregate disposable earnings of an individual for any workweek which is subjected to garnishment may not exceed” either “Twenty-five percent (25%) of the disposable earnings for that week” or “The amount by which the disposable earnings for that week exceed thirty (30) times the federal minimum hourly wage at the time the earnings for any pay period become due and payable, whichever is less.”
The second figure is the floor. Thirty hours at the federal minimum wage are untouchable, and only what sits above them can be reached, which for many workers is less than a quarter of their disposable pay. For pay that is not weekly, the same rule applies scaled to the period: “In the case of earnings for any pay period other than a week, an equivalent amount shall be in effect.”
Source: Tennessee Code Section 26-2-106 · quoted 28 October 2026
Dependent children add to what you keep
Section 26-2-107 adds a further amount on top of those limits: “To the above allowances, there shall be added as exempt to the judgment debtor the sum of two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per week for each dependent child under sixteen (16) years of age and a resident of this state.”
It does not happen by itself. The same section says “It is the responsibility of the judgment debtor to inform the employer of each dependent child claimed under this section.” and “This section shall not apply if the debtor fails to so inform the employer.” If you have children who qualify, tell your employer.
Source: Tennessee Code Section 26-2-107 · quoted 28 October 2026
Who pays the costs
Section 26-2-106 puts them on the debtor: “The debtor shall pay the costs of any and all garnishments on each debt on which suit is brought.”
Source: Tennessee Code Section 26-2-106 · quoted 28 October 2026
What this page does not cover
The two sections above set limits on how much can be taken. They do not set out how a creditor garnishes wages in the first place: the court steps, the notice you receive, what your employer must do, and any hearing are in other sections of Title 26 of the Tennessee Code, and so are the rules on property that is exempt from creditors. This page does not quote them, so it does not describe them. The two sections quoted here speak of a “judgment debtor” and of a debt “on which suit is brought”. A collector that says it will take your wages should be able to tell you which court and which case, and a lawyer or legal aid service can tell you what applies to you.
Common questions about garnishment in Tennessee
How much of my pay can be garnished in Tennessee?
At most the lesser of two figures for any workweek. Tennessee Code Section 26-2-106 says the part of disposable earnings subjected to garnishment "may not exceed" either "Twenty-five percent (25%) of the disposable earnings for that week" or "The amount by which the disposable earnings for that week exceed thirty (30) times the federal minimum hourly wage at the time the earnings for any pay period become due and payable, whichever is less." So thirty hours at the federal minimum wage are protected each week, and a low earner can keep everything.
Do my children reduce what can be taken?
Yes, by a small amount, and only if you tell your employer. Section 26-2-107 adds "the sum of two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per week for each dependent child under sixteen (16) years of age and a resident of this state" to what is exempt, and says "It is the responsibility of the judgment debtor to inform the employer of each dependent child claimed under this section." The allowance does not apply if you do not.
What if I am paid every two weeks or monthly?
The same limit applies, scaled. Section 26-2-106 says "In the case of earnings for any pay period other than a week, an equivalent amount shall be in effect."
Who pays the cost of a garnishment in Tennessee?
The debtor. Section 26-2-106 says "The debtor shall pay the costs of any and all garnishments on each debt on which suit is brought."
Does a creditor need a court judgment before garnishing my wages?
This page does not answer that from the statute, because the sections quoted here do not set out the garnishment procedure. They speak of a "judgment debtor" and of a debt "on which suit is brought", and the procedure itself is in other sections of Title 26 of the Tennessee Code that this page does not quote. A collector that says it will take your wages should be able to tell you which court and which case; a lawyer or legal aid service can tell you what applies to you.
This page is information about published law, not legal advice, and it does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Whether any limit applies to a particular judgment or pay packet depends on facts this page cannot know. Every quotation above was taken from the Tennessee Code on the date shown; if you find an error, our corrections policy explains how to tell us.