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Trucking & Transportation Companies: Payroll Garnishments: What You Need to Know (2026)
Garnishments in trucking companies follow the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act limits, 25 percent of disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less, with the trucking company twist that per-diem pay for drivers and owner-operator vs W-2 classification count as earnings. BEG: $45 per employee per month inside the payroll software you already use, live in 3 to 5 days.
The federal limits
Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act caps ordinary garnishments at the lesser of 25 percent of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage, $217.50 a week at $7.25. Child support orders can reach 50 to 65 percent, and tax levies and bankruptcy orders have their own tables. Disposable earnings are gross pay less legally required deductions, not less voluntary ones like a 401(k) or health premium.
What counts as earnings in a trucking company
Per-diem pay for drivers, owner-operator vs W-2 classification, DOT compliance and mileage reimbursement are all earnings for garnishment purposes when they are paid as compensation for personal services, so the order applies to the whole check, not the base rate.
At the BLS May 2025 national median for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, $58,640 a year or $1,128 a week, a typical 25 percent cap on disposable earnings lands near $211 a week, and the exact figure depends on that employee's required deductions.
Processing rules that avoid employer liability
An employer that ignores an order can become liable for the amount it should have withheld. Orders are answered by their deadline, multiple orders are stacked in the priority the law sets (child support first), the employee is not disciplined for a single garnishment, and withheld amounts are remitted to the issuing agency on its schedule with the case number on every payment.
Read the full guide to how to handle payroll garnishments, and the rest of the trucking company payroll library.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much of a trucking company employee's pay can be garnished?
For ordinary debts, the lesser of 25 percent of disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum wage per week. Child support can take up to 50 to 65 percent depending on arrears and dependents.
Do per-diem pay for drivers count toward a garnishment?
Yes. Anything paid as compensation for personal services is earnings under the CCPA, so per-diem pay for drivers enter the disposable earnings calculation along with base pay.
Can a trucking company fire an employee over a garnishment?
Not for a single debt. The CCPA prohibits discharge because earnings have been garnished for any one debt; state law often extends that protection further.
What does managed payroll cost for a trucking company?
$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive, inside the payroll software you already use, with no monthly minimum. Per-diem pay for drivers, owner-operator vs W-2 classification and DOT compliance are configured at setup, not billed as add-ons.
Related Resources
Anthony leads payroll solutions at Business Executive Group, a national managed payroll firm serving businesses across industries including Trucking & Transportation Companies. BEG manages payroll at $45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with deep expertise in compliance, multi-state filing, and industry-specific payroll requirements. Get instant pricing at beghr.com.
Authoritative source: U.S. Department of Labor: Wage Garnishment
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