With Colter Shaw racking up rewards in Tracker season 2, it's easy to think he makes a lot of money doing what he does. However, it's worth breaking down the exact amount he made this season and how much he might have kept. Colter usually makes it a point of principle to collect the fees offered to him in Tracker. While he's comionate and genuinely cares about the people he helps, it's still business and his livelihood, so it's his head that negotiates, not his heart.

As we've seen, some of the wealthier clients that Colter takes on are willing to shell out quite a bit, with Colter sometimes making more from one case than many of us make in a year - or almost. In one particularly memorable episode involving a missing racehorse in Tracker season 2 episodes leave him flush with cash, others see him barely break even or even lose money.

Colter Made At Least $330,187 In Tracker Season 2

He Made More, But Some Case Rewards Were Unknown

Most episodes of Tracker include a scene in which either Velma or the client clearly states the payment being offered up front. Of the 20 episodes this season, the exact reward amount was outlined 14 times. In three episodes this season, Colter was doing a friend a favor and thus there was no fee: in Tracker season 2, episode 9, he wrapped up the Gina Picket case for Camille; in episode 17, he did Randy a favor by finding his ex-girlfriend's best friend; and in the finale, his search took him back home to Echo Ridge to do a favor for an old family friend.

There was a fee that was never explicitly stated in another three episodes: Episode 15 saw him being paid by the local police department, in episode 16, he was ostensibly paid by another friend (though it might have been a favor), and in episode 19, he was paid an unknown amount by Leo Sharf. Finally, a $50,000 fee was offered in episode 3, which was split with Billie. At 50/50, that works out to $25,000.

Altogether, Colter made $330,187 in total this season. However, we can assume that there were other cases throughout the year and quicker ones that happened off-screen, so the true amount that he made in a year is likely much higher. We also have to consider that, while Colter racks up tons of miles on his truck, meaning lots of money for gas and vehicular wear-and-tear, and while he likely dines out often, he lives in his Airstream, so he has no rent and he travels very light. As such, outside of food and gas, Colter's personal expenses are reasonably low. That still doesn't mean he's swimming in cash, though.

Colter Gave Some Of His Reward Money Away In Tracker Season 2

Two Instances Prompted Colter To Return The Money

There were a few times this season that he didn't keep the fee he'd been offered. In episode 7, "Man's Best Friend," he sweetly agreed to take the case of finding a boy's missing dog for $187. When the little boy offers him his piggy bank at the end of the episode, Colter tells him to instead use it to buy something nice for his mom. Instead, they'd just consider Colter finding his dog "a favor among friends."

There is another instance later in the season, in episode 14, "Nightingale," where Colter donates the $10,000 fee he is offered. In that episode, a priest who had been trying to hide his sister and a boy from a dangerous killer ended up giving his life to protect them. Instead of taking the money the boy's father offers him, he tells him to donate it to the slain priest's church. While Colter stands on business, this season has shown there are times when Colter will make personal allowances.

Colter Also Splits His Tracker Earnings With His Team - And Likely The IRS

A Business Is A Business, After All

Of course, Colter doesn't keep all that reward money for himself; he's not pocketing $300+ grand on his own. He has a team to split it between, and this season, that was Velma, Bobby, and, in the second half of the season, Bobby's cousin, Randy. While Reenie often helps Colter out, she has her own job as a high-powered lawyer, and it seems that everything she does for Colter is pro bono. It's not exactly clear how the team's split breaks down, though we can assume that Colter gets a larger cut as he's the one doing the most work and the only one out in the field.

It's also not known if Colter's teammates have other income sources. Velma, at the very least, appears to also be working for Reenie in Tracker season 2, and business has been booming. Earlier in the season, an episode showed Velma and Reenie expanding the office, indicating business is good. Reenie's new client, Leo Sharf, is also loaded and appears to be paying Reenie quite well. Meanwhile, Bobby and Randy appear to have a lot of time on their hands and probably use their tech skills elsewhere as freelancers. Considering the inconsistent nature of Colter's work, it's unlikely that all three can rely solely on him for income.

Considering the inconsistent nature of Colter's work, it's unlikely that all three can rely solely on him for income.

Lastly, there's the U.S. government to consider – namely, the IRS. It's never been explicitly stated, but Colter's operation is probably set up as a legitimate business and that won't change in Tracker season 3. To keep everything on the up-and-up, they'd have to be incorporated as a small business like an LLC. If that's the case, then they're paying taxes on at least some of their earnings, depending on how much they get paid in cash under the table. Considering everything, while it seems as though Colter is raking in money hand over fist in Tracker, paying the team and taxes means he makes enough to be comfortable, but he'll certainly never become rich as a rewardist.

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