As CBS’s Tracker continues to captivate audiences with high-stakes adventures and emotional depth, one question subtly weaves through each episode: how much is Colter Shaw earning for all this risk? While Shaw rarely boasts about money, the bounty hunter’s job comes with price tags—and some assignments are clearly more lucrative than others. Here’s a look at the highest-paying cases Colter has taken on so far in Tracker.
The Business of Bounty Hunting
Colter Shaw isn’t a traditional bounty hunter. He’s a reward seeker, scouring online postings, tip lines, and police bulletins to track down missing people, fugitives, or long-lost secrets in exchange for money. His unique moral compass and deep personal backstory often influence whether he takes a case—but let’s be clear: some jobs pay very well.
From wealthy clients offering private rewards to corporations willing to dig deep into their pockets, Shaw has had a wide variety of payouts depending on the urgency, risk level, and profile of each case.
$100,000 Case: The Missing Tech Heiress (Season 1, Episode 6)
Arguably the most financially impressive job so far, Colter takes on a case involving a missing tech heiress whose billionaire father offers a $100,000 reward for her safe return. The case proves especially dangerous, involving digital tracking, international connections, and layers of deceit. Despite the risk, Shaw manages to bring her back alive—and gets paid in full.
$75,000 Case: Corporate Espionage Recovery
In one of the more covert missions, Shaw is hired by a private cybersecurity firm to recover stolen intellectual property believed to be in the hands of a rogue employee. The reward? $75,000 upon confirmation of the recovery. Though less emotionally charged than his missing persons cases, the job tested Colter’s surveillance and stealth skills—and ultimately paid off handsomely.
$50,000 Case: Kidnapped Teenager from a Prominent Political Family
This emotionally intense case involved the kidnapping of a senator’s son. While the official reward was stated at $50,000, political implications and media attention added layers of pressure and personal danger. Shaw ultimately located the teenager in a remote area, narrowly avoiding a fatal ambush. The payout came, but Shaw walked away more affected by the family’s emotional breakdown than the money.
$40,000 Case: Vanished Whistleblower
A corporate whistleblower’s sudden disappearance leads to a $40,000 bounty from an investigative journalism organization. Shaw digs deep into the corporate underworld, dealing with shady informants, false identities, and physical threats. The moral weight of protecting a truth-teller gave this job a higher personal value to Colter than even the reward.
$30,000 Case: Long-Lost Sibling Search
This job wasn’t dangerous in the physical sense, but emotionally fraught. A woman offered $30,000 to anyone who could find her adopted sibling, lost in the foster system 25 years ago. Colter took the case despite its emotional complexity, uncovering layers of trauma and helping to facilitate a long-overdue reunion. Though the payment was modest compared to other jobs, the personal satisfaction was immense.
When He Walks Away Without a Penny
Interestingly, some of Shaw’s most meaningful cases earn him nothing at all. Several episodes depict him refusing payment or choosing not to collect when he feels the job was more about doing the right thing than chasing dollars. These moments remind audiences that Colter is driven by more than just cash—he’s chasing purpose, closure, and sometimes redemption.
What Season 3 Could Bring
With Tracker renewed for Season 3, fans can expect even more high-stakes cases—and likely higher rewards. As Shaw’s reputation grows, he may be tapped for increasingly complex and high-paying assignments. There’s even potential for international jobs or work with government agencies, which could easily push reward figures into six-digit territory.
While Colter Shaw never brags about his bank account, the rewards he collects reflect the danger and complexity of his work. From corporate espionage to emotional family reunions, his jobs range from adrenaline-fueled hunts to heartfelt searches. As Tracker moves forward, the value of his work—monetary and moral—continues to grow.
