The amount of the reward varied depending on a number of factors, including the region of the country, the time period, and the specific slave in question. In general, rewards were higher for skilled slaves or those who were considered to be especially valuable. For example, in the mid-19th century, a reward of up to $1,000 might be offered for the return of a skilled carpenter or blacksmith, while a reward of only a few hundred dollars might be offered for a field hand.
In addition to cash rewards, other incentives were sometimes offered for the capture of runaway slaves. These could include land, livestock, or even freedom for the person returning the slave.
The practice of offering rewards for runaway slaves was a cruel and oppressive one, and it served to further dehumanize enslaved people. It also made it more difficult for slaves to escape to freedom, and helped to maintain the institution of slavery in the United States.