Texas child support amounts vary widely because the state uses a formula based on the paying parent's income, not a fixed dollar amount
There is no single "average" child support payment in Texas that applies to everyone. The amount one parent pays depends on their gross monthly income, how many children need support, and whether they have other children from previous relationships. A parent earning $3,000 a month will pay far less than one earning $10,000 a month, even if both are supporting the same number of children.
Texas uses what is called the guideline amount — a percentage of the paying parent's income that increases with each child. For one child, the guideline is 20 percent of gross income. For two children, it is 25 percent. For three children, 30 percent. For four children, 35 percent. For five children, 40 percent. For six or more children, the court can order 50 percent or more.
These percentages explore only to income up to a cap. As of 2024, that cap is $9,200 per month in gross income. Income above that amount is discretionary — the judge can order support on it, but is not required to. This means a parent earning $15,000 a month does not automatically pay 20 percent of $15,000; they pay 20 percent of $9,200, plus whatever the judge decides about the remaining $5,800.
Key Takeaways
- Texas calculates child support as a percentage of the paying parent's gross monthly income: 20 percent for one child, 25 percent for two, 30 percent for three, 35 percent for four, 40 percent for five, and up to 50 percent for six or more.
- The percentage applies only to the first $9,200 of gross monthly income; income above that is discretionary and varies by judge.
- Gross income includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, and some benefits — not just what appears on a paycheck.
- A parent earning $3,000 a month with one child would pay roughly $600 per month under the guideline; a parent earning $6,000 a month with one child would pay roughly $1,200.
- The actual amount ordered by a court can be higher or lower than the guideline if the judge finds the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate.
How Texas defines income for child support
The amount of child support depends entirely on what counts as income. Texas includes far more than just a paycheck. Gross income means all money coming in before taxes, including wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, overtime, self-employment income, rental income, interest and dividend income, capital gains, pension and retirement distributions, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, workers' compensation benefits, and annuity payments.
Income does not include means-tested benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary information for Needy Families (TANF), or food stamps. It also does not include child support or spousal support the paying parent receives from someone else, or reimbursement for expenses.
If a parent is self-employed or has variable income, the court typically looks at the average over the past two or three years, not just the current month. A parent who earned $40,000 last year but only $2,000 this year cannot claim they now owe almost nothing; the court will likely use an average. This protects the receiving parent from sudden drops in support when income fluctuates.
When the guideline amount changes
The guideline percentage is not automatic. A judge can order more or less than the guideline if they find it would be unjust or inappropriate. The law lists 13 factors a judge can consider, including the age and needs of the children, the ability of each parent to earn income, the standard of living the child would have had if the family had not separated, and any other relevant factor.
In practice, judges order above the guideline when the paying parent has high income, when the receiving parent has little or no income, or when the child has special needs or expensive medical care. They order below the guideline when the paying parent has very low income, when they have other children from other relationships, or when the receiving parent has substantial income and the children spend significant time with the paying parent.
If a parent's income changes significantly — they lose a job, get a major raise, or become disabled — either parent can ask the court to modify the order. The court will not change it unless the change in income is substantial and was not expected when the order was made.
Examples of what different income levels mean in dollars
These examples show what the guideline amount would be for one child, using 20 percent of gross income up to $9,200 per month:
| Gross Monthly Income | Guideline Amount (One Child) |
|---|---|
| $2,000 | $400 |
| $3,500 | $700 |
| $5,000 | $1,000 |
| $7,500 | $1,500 |
| $9,200 | $1,840 |
| $12,000 | $1,840 plus discretionary amount |
For two children, multiply the guideline amount by 1.25 instead of 1.0. For three children, multiply by 1.5. For example, a parent earning $5,000 a month with two children would pay $1,250 under the guideline (25 percent of $5,000), not $1,000.
These are the amounts the guideline formula produces. The actual order from a court could be different. A judge might order $800 instead of $1,000, or $1,200 instead of $1,000, depending on the circumstances of the case.
What happens if income is very high or very low
Parents earning more than $9,200 per month enter territory where the judge has discretion. There is no formula for income above the cap. A parent earning $20,000 a month might be ordered to pay $1,840 (the guideline on the first $9,200) plus another $1,000 or $2,000 or nothing on the remaining income — it depends on what the judge thinks is fair.
Parents earning very little face a different problem. If a parent earns $800 a month, the guideline for one child is $160. Some judges will order that amount. Others will order $0 if the parent is barely surviving, or will order a small amount with the understanding that it may not be paid in full. Texas law says the court can deviate from the guideline if following it would leave the paying parent without enough income to meet their own basic needs, though this is interpreted strictly.
A parent who is unemployed or disabled and receiving no income is not automatically excused from child support. The court can impute income — assume the parent could earn a certain amount if they tried — based on their education, work history, and job market. A parent with a college degree who quit work might be assumed to earn what someone in their field typically makes, even if they are currently earning nothing.
How child support orders are enforced and modified
Once a court orders child support, the paying parent's employer is notified and ordered to withhold the amount from their paycheck. This is called income withholding, and it happens automatically unless the judge specifically allows the parent to pay directly. If the parent is self-employed or does not have an employer, they are responsible for paying the receiving parent or the state directly.
If a parent falls behind on payments, the state can take action: intercepting tax refunds, suspending driver's licenses, placing liens on property, or referring the case to a collection agency. The state also charges interest on unpaid child support, typically at the rate set by law for other debts.
If a parent's income drops, they can ask the court to lower the order. If it rises, the receiving parent can ask for an increase. Either parent can also ask for modification if circumstances change significantly — a child turns 18, the paying parent becomes disabled, or the receiving parent's income increases substantially. The court will not modify an order unless the change in circumstances is material and was not expected when the order was made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum child support amount in Texas?
Texas law does not set a minimum dollar amount. If a parent's income is very low, the guideline percentage might produce a small number — for example, $100 a month. A judge can order that amount, order $0 if the parent has no income, or order a different amount based on the circumstances. There is no floor below which support cannot be ordered.
Does child support stop when the child turns 18?
Child support ends when the child turns 18, graduates from high school, or reaches age 19, whichever comes first — unless the child is disabled. If a child is still in high school at 18, support continues until graduation or age 19. The paying parent must notify the court when the child reaches the age to stop support; it does not happen automatically.
What if the paying parent loses their job?
If income drops, the paying parent can ask the court to modify the order. The court will look at whether the job loss was voluntary or involuntary, how long the parent has been unemployed, and whether they are looking for work. A parent who quit a job to avoid paying support will not get a reduction. A parent laid off and actively searching for work may get a temporary reduction or a lower order based on imputed income.
Can child support be ordered on income above $9,200 a month?
Yes. Income above $9,200 is discretionary, meaning the judge can order support on it but is not required to. A judge might order 10 percent of income above $9,200, or 20 percent, or nothing. There is no set formula. The judge considers factors like the child's needs, the standard of living, and the parent's ability to pay.
Does the receiving parent's income affect the amount of child support?
The receiving parent's income is not part of the guideline formula — the formula uses only the paying parent's income. However, a judge can consider the receiving parent's income when deciding whether to deviate from the guideline. If the receiving parent has substantial income and the child spends significant time with the paying parent, the judge might order less than the guideline.