50. Mississippi
> Innovation index score: 20.1 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 3.3% of all workers – the lowest (36,840 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $74,410 – 2nd lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $11.3 million – the lowest (2 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 6.9 per 100,000 people – the fewest (205 total)
49. Louisiana
> Innovation index score: 21.3 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 3.6% of all workers – 2nd lowest (64,200 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $82,900 – 12th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $86.8 million – 6th lowest (27 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 11.1 per 100,000 people – 4th fewest (512 total)
24/7 Tempo
48. North Dakota
> Innovation index score: 28.6 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 4.2% of all workers – 6th lowest (16,780 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $78,620 – 7th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $47.7 million – 4th lowest (4 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 17.8 per 100,000 people – 11th fewest (138 total)
47. West Virginia
> Innovation index score: 28.8 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 4.1% of all workers – 5th lowest (27,280 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $76,880 – 5th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $29.1 million – 2nd lowest (10 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 7.5 per 100,000 people – 2nd fewest (134 total)
46. Arkansas
> Innovation index score: 29.2 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 3.9% of all workers – 4th lowest (47,020 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $81,150 – 9th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $131.1 million – 12th lowest (33 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 17.7 per 100,000 people – 10th fewest (535 total)
