5. Virginia
> Innovation index score: 63.1 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 9.3% of all workers – 3rd highest (349,310 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $109,370 – 7th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $2.6 billion – 14th highest (257 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 34.7 per 100,000 people – 24th fewest (3,002 total)
4. Colorado
> Innovation index score: 64.2 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 9.2% of all workers – 4th highest (242,380 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $104,420 – 9th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $6.8 billion – 7th highest (459 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 64.3 per 100,000 people – 9th most (3,740 total)
3. Maryland
> Innovation index score: 65.0 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 10.1% of all workers – 2nd highest (258,230 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $110,690 – 5th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $2.2 billion – 16th highest (176 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 40.3 per 100,000 people – 21st most (2,482 total)
2. Washington
> Innovation index score: 68.9 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 10.2% of all workers – the highest (326,530 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $117,950 – 2nd highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $8.6 billion – 5th highest (549 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 117.7 per 100,000 people – 3rd most (9,112 total)
1. Massachusetts
> Innovation index score: 73.7 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 9.1% of all workers – 5th highest (310,450 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $115,060 – 4th highest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $35.5 billion – 3rd highest (1,096 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 125.8 per 100,000 people – 2nd most (8,790 total)
