45. Nebraska
> Innovation index score: 29.9 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 6.0% of all workers – 24th highest (57,400 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $83,030 – 14th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $317.7 million – 20th lowest (43 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 21.7 per 100,000 people – 15th fewest (427 total)
44. South Dakota
> Innovation index score: 31.5 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 4.8% of all workers – 9th lowest (20,330 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $77,270 – 6th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $168.7 million – 13th lowest (10 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 18.4 per 100,000 people – 12th fewest (165 total)
24/7 Tempo
43. Iowa
> Innovation index score: 32.2 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 5.6% of all workers – 19th lowest (82,550 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $86,610 – 23rd lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $205.3 million – 16th lowest (42 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 37.6 per 100,000 people – 22nd most (1,202 total)
42. Kentucky
> Innovation index score: 32.8 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 4.3% of all workers – 7th lowest (79,320 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $76,040 – 4th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $200.0 million – 15th lowest (50 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 19.3 per 100,000 people – 13th fewest (869 total)
41. Oklahoma
> Innovation index score: 33.2 out of 100
> Employment in STEM fields: 5.1% of all workers – 16th lowest (79,710 people total)
> Avg. annual income in STEM jobs: $84,710 – 19th lowest
> Venture capital investments; 2021: $109.4 million – 9th lowest (17 VC deals total)
> Patents issued in 2020: 17.3 per 100,000 people – 9th fewest (689 total)
